Recently, our research team was extremely privileged to get a personal tour of Mission Dolores in San Francisco, led by the mission’s curator, Andrew Galvan. During the Spanish-colonial and Mexican era, the Presidio of San Francisco and Mission Dolores were intertwined; their history – and archaeology – is deeply connected. The tour focused on the archaeology and history of this 18th century building. The highlight of the tour was when Andrew Galvan escorted us in small groups up into the Mission’s attic. He revealed a 1791 religious mural painted by Native Californians, hidden for nearly two hundred years. We viewed the painting from a vertical angle, looking down through a small “trap” door. The mural’s initial purpose had been as a temporary wall adornment while the Mission awaited the shipment of its permanent altarpiece.

As we continue to excavate, we have made several new discoveries. One surprising find came from the southernmost unit of this summer’s dig. Here, we found the first intact American-period deposit found to date at El Polín Spring. The sidewall of the unit, shown here, revealed a layer of ash and coal located about 60 centimeters below ground surface. The artifacts found in and above this layer range from bottle glass and coal to garter belt clips and a small, unbroken porcelain saucer. The artifacts date to the 1890s through the early 1900s, and most likely were left behind by one of the families living in the wooden officers quarters that used to stand at El Polín Spring.

Some of the pieces we have in our collection of artifacts are thought provoking, exciting, and puzzling. Roof tiles, small fabric swatches, broken porcelain doll faces, cow bones, clay marbles, and garter clips: each is a glimpse into history. They are extraordinary pieces of a puzzle that we feel compelled to put together. Where do they all fit? Our featured artifact in this update is this metal, two-inch-diameter medallion with an embossed flower and crown. We have never seen an artifact like this before. Where did it come from? How old is it? What does the symbol mean? Leo Barker, the National Park Service historical archaeologist, has conducted some preliminary research that suggests the medallion may be associated with British or Australian intelligence insignia. But how was it lost or thrown away? How did the edges get damaged? What do you think?