Human Systems Research
Human Systems Research
Human Systems Research
Human Systems Research
Human Systems Research
Human Systems Research
Human Systems Research
Alexander McSween

Alexander McSween

In 1987, excavations conducted west of the existing Fresquez house recovered evidence of the McSween wing of the house, occupied by McSween and his wife, Susan. Architectural remains included charred wood, ash deposits, and large pieces of burned adobe, possibly from walls or the roof. McSween-era artifacts included burned and melted glass, nails, exploded cartridges, and burned china, cloth, and marble fragments. The marble may have been from the top of a dresser or wash stand.

Further excavations in 1987 in the vicinity of the west wing of the house provided not only evidence of the gun fight, but important artifacts that indicate the lifestyle of the McSweens. The artifacts included coffee beans and peppercorns. animal bones, barrel hoops, tin cans and bottles, pieces of glass shade and beads from a parlor lamp, part of a chamber pot, and small beads used to decorate clothing. At the bottom of the deposits, 3 feet below the surface, were foundation rocks.

Limited excavations in 1988 revealed a cellar under the west wing of the McSween House filled with debris from the burned house. The cellar was probably the borrow pit for soil used to make adobe bricks for the La Placita store built by L.G. Murphy in the early 1870s and later converted into the McSween's home. However, evidence of the supposed parlor connecting the two wings of the house was elusive. This part of the house was probably removed when the ruins of the adobe house were removed following the gun battle and fire.

Public education was an important part of the excavation project. Volunteers learned about archaeology and historic preservation by helping to screen fill, catalog artifacts, and map the site; field school students learned excavation techniques; and the excavations were observed by tourists from across New Mexico and the United States and from several foreign countries. Site Visitors learned about archaeology and the Lincoln County War through informal discussions with archaeologists.

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