Summary
Archaeologists in Texas have found the lost site of Mission Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo, an 18th-century Spanish mission. This discovery provides new historical information about early Spanish colonization efforts in Texas. The site was uncovered on private land in Jackson County, ending years of speculation about its location.
Key Facts
- Archaeologists from Texas Tech University and the Texas Historical Commission found the mission site.
- The mission, established by Spanish missionaries in the early 1700s, aimed to convert the Karankawa people to Christianity.
- The discovery was made on privately owned land near historic sites like Presidio la Bahía and Fort St. Louis in Jackson County, Texas.
- The mission operated between 1721 and 1726 before being abandoned.
- A team of archaeologists, including Kay Hindes and Jim Bruseth, collaborated on the discovery.
- Further exploration and excavation of the site are planned, including a magnetic survey to determine its boundaries.
- The discovery was supported by the Summerlee Foundation, Texas Historical Commission, and private landowners.
- Tamra Walter from Texas Tech plans to involve students in future excavation efforts.
