Science & Research

Explore Kaylee Holland's (SCA 2023 Intern) analysis of the Tufa House's history at Mission San Juan, from construction to present-day interpretations. This article is based on an ArcGIS Story Map and can be accessed by clicking each section on the article.

Read more about University of Texas at Austin Ph.D. candidate, Kelton Sheridan's archeological research at Mission Espada's Indigenous Quarters as she explores questions such as: What food did people eat? What household objects did they own? What belief and traditions did people keep?

One of the many characteristics and customs of Spanish Missions along the borderlands was the establishment of a camposanto (sacred burial ground) for baptized Native Americans and citizens of New Spain. Generally, Spanish missionaries established camposantos in front of the church or as near to the front of the church as possible. Today, there are two grave markers in a small camposanto located in front of the church at Mission San José.

The road to secularization for Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo was long and costly. The Spanish missions along the U.S. Southwest borderlands were never expected to be permanent settlements. In theory and law, each mission was to be handed to local secular clergy following ten years of operation, and the Indigenous residents of each mission were to be given land to sustain themselves once their conversion to Spanish citizens was complete.

The road to secularization for Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo was long and costly. The Spanish missions along the U.S. Southwest borderlands were never expected to be permanent settlements. In theory and law, each mission was to be handed to local secular clergy following ten years of operation, and the Indigenous residents of each mission were to be given land to sustain themselves once their conversion to Spanish citizens was complete.