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Guide to the Mission San Diego de Alcalá Excavation records
USDA_1992_001
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Table of contents
Title:
Mission San Diego de Alcalá Excavation records
Date (bulk): 1966-1987
Date (inclusive): 1769-1989
Collection number: USDA_1992_001
Creator: Brandes, Raymond
Physical Description:
24 total boxes
6 oversize
2 mapcase drawers
(30 linear ft.)
Abstract:
The Mission San Diego de Alcalá Excavation records document the nearly twenty years of excavation work conducted during
a University of San Diego course led by Professors Raymond Brandes and James Moriarty. Among the records are research materials,
photographs, documentation of the work conducted, and inventories of found artifacts.
Languages:
English, Spanish
The Mission San Diego de Alcalá Excavation course was created by Dr. Raymond Brandes in advance of the 200th anniversary of
San Diego. In addition to the educational opportunities it would provide for students, the course would enhance historical
interest surrounding the Mission for students and the community. The August 1966 University of San Diego College for Men course
titled Historic Site Methods was an outgrowth of a graduate seminar in which students began gathering research and examining
primary source documents related to California, San Diego, California Missions, and Mission San Diego de Alcalá. Coursework
for the Historic Site Methods course was conducted both on the University of San Diego campus and at the Mission. Dr. James
Moriarty began teaching the course with Professor Brandes in 1968. Research gathering continued through the Historic Site
Methods course primarily in archives and special collections in Mexico City and Berkeley, California. Students also participated
in conducting aerial and topographical surveys of the Mission site in order to determine where to begin the archaeological
dig. Students also created fencing around the dig site in order for visitors to the Mission to view their work, and assisted
with exhibit creation in the Mission museum. Student projects also included photographing and research artifacts, cataloging
and preserving artifacts, and creating illustrations of found artifacts and the archaeological area.
The course began with the College for Men, but students at the San Diego College for Women were encouraged to enroll. The
course was also offered during summer and intersession and encouraged graduate and community students to participate. The
course was listed under a variety of course topics in order to accommodate a wide range of interests and focus areas from
archaeology to exhibit design to photography to historical research. The bulk of excavation work was done at the Mission San
Diego de Alcalá. Excavations were also conducted in Old Town in 1974, at the United States House (O'Neill House) in 1975,
and at the Casa Machado de Wrightington in Old Town in 1976. The final excavation course was conducted at the Mission in Spring
1983.
In 1978, the Diocese of San Diego had proposed constructing a multipurpose building at the archaeological dig site in order
to accommodate their growing parish. The Mission was a complicated case as it is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks,
which serves both as a historical site, as well as a functioning public building with parishioners. The project was continually
delayed by protest from historical groups and the San Diego Historical Site Board. Protestors raised concern over history
that would be lost by raising a building over historic land, and the possibility of a Native American burial ground at the
proposed construction site. Having supervised nearly twenty years of excavation at specific areas of the site, Professor Brandes
stated that no burial ground existed at the proposed site. Public concern continued, however, because Brandes and Moriarty
had not produced a comprehensive report about their methods or their findings since very early on in the projects history.
While students had documented field notes, taken photographs, and created artifact inventories, this information was not compiled
in a publicly available report. There was additional concern about the archaeological methods used and the thoroughness of
their excavation. In August 1985, the National Park Service called for a comprehensive report of work done and a new Environmental
Impact Report. An Environmental Impact Report had been created for the 1978 proposed building, but the size and scope of the
building had expanded since that time. A comprehensive report was not completed from the University of San Diego until 1987,
but the city deemed the report inadequate. In the fall of 1988 the City of San Diego granted approval to begin construction
only if the Diocese would allow an archeological firm to examine the proposed building site. Additionally, the building would
be positioned above ground on concrete pillars in order to ensure that future excavations could still take place. The Diocese
allowed for four months of excavation. ERC Environmental and Energy Services Co. led by archaeologist Richard Carrico began
digging at the site where the concrete pillars would sit. Days into their excavation, archaeologists found bones suggesting
a Native American burial ground. Ultimately, the Diocese of San Diego agreed to rebury the Native American remains in a plot
consecrated as a cemetery. They also agreed to build on a new location which was proposed in June 1990. The building was completed
in 1992.
The Mission San Diego de Alcalá Excavation records document the nearly twenty years of excavation work conducted during a
University of San Diego course led by Professors Raymond Brandes and James Moriarty. Among the records are course materials,
newspaper articles, photographs and negatives, research materials, maps, and audio recordings. Course materials include planning
materials for the course, informational materials for students, and documentation of excavation work. This includes notes
about work conducted during class sessions, inventories of found artifacts, and drawings of the excavation areas. Aerial photographs
taken of the Mission San Diego de Alcalá site, and topographical maps created in preparation for excavations are included.
Additionally, photographs of found artifacts and of the excavation site are included. While excavation occurred, gravesites
of soldiers and priests were found and identified. Photographs and drawings of these findings are included in this collection.
This collection also includes publicity about the course and clippings of newspaper articles written about the course. Record
of excavations conducted in Old Town, particularly photographs, are also included.
These records include the extensive research conducted in preparation for the course. This includes research about Mission
San Diego de Alcalá, about California Missions, and about Father Junípero Serra. Bibliographies of collected materials are
included, along with maps and primary source materials. Additionally, audio recordings of James Moriarty giving tours of the
excavation site are included.
In addition to materials directly related to coursework at Mission San Diego de Alcalá, materials pertaining to the proposed
multipurpose building are included. Among these materials are correspondence regarding the proposed building, inquiries about
the work conducted at the site, and the 1979 Environmental Impact Report created for the building.
Related Material
The 1987 informational study conducted by Raymond Brandes and James Moriarty, titled
Mission San Diego de Alcalá: The Archaeological Design and Fieldwork Conducted by the University of San Diego, 1966-1984
to provide an overview of the work completed is available at the San Diego Public Library (Call #: RCC 979.403/MISSION
1987?) and the University of California San Diego Geisel Library (Call #: C200 .U65 M57).
The Mission San Diego Archaeological Excavation records are arranged into six series:
Series I is further arranged into the following subseries:
Series IV is further arranged into the following subseries:
Titles of series and subseries as well as arrangement are derived from the original titles and order of the records.
Access Information
The majority of this collection is open for research. Advanced notice is required to view the Student Field Notes portion
of the collection.
[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Mission San Diego de Alcalá Excavation records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives
and Special Collections.
No additions to this collection are expected.
This collection was processed by Ashley Toutain in 2018. Records were deposited with the Archives by former Archivist, Raymond
Brandes. Records were housed in archival boxes and file cabinets. Records have been transferred out of file cabinet drawers
into archival boxes and oversize storage.
Removed or Separated Material
Oversize materials have been separated from their original location and housed in either oversize boxes or map case drawers.
Separation sheets have been placed in the original location and with the item for reference.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Brandes, Raymond
Moriarty, James
Eagen, Brent
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Diego Mission.
Diocese of San Diego
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Old Town (San Diego, Calif.)
(San Diego, Calif.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Archaeology.
courses