Digging In the Dirt

By: The Associated Press

Excavation uncovers 17th century Santa Fe

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Archaeologists have found parts of 17th century Santa Fe. Excavations found bits of pottery that weren’t imported into New Mexico after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. The Spanish Colonial artifacts were found in a trash deposit 32 inches below the surface. Archaeologists also found a cobblestone surface four-and-a-half feet down. The cobbles could have been an extension of a street to meet the Santa Fe Plaza when it was larger. That’s the thought of Jim Moore and Guadalupe Martinez of the state Office of Archaeological Studies. Moore says it’s possible that instead of a cobble road, it might have been a stable yard. The dig began last week to clear the way for plans to redevelop old hospital buildings downtown. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)