Thousands of Artifacts Discovered in Texas Ghost Town

In an abandoned town nicknamed the “Birthplace of Texas,” located by the Brazos River in Washington County, Texas, archaeologists have discovered over ten thousand ancient items.

This town, known as Washington-on-the-Brazos, is special because it’s where Texas declared its independence on March 2, 1836.

As part of a $51 million makeover and expansion plan, experts digging in the area came across thousands of ancient artifacts that reveal quite a lot about history. They found bits of glass and pottery, nails, and even the remains of a fireplace from an old tavern.

Some especially old coins from 1831 and 1820 were also dug up, providing evidence of people’s consumer habits at the time.

Jonathan Failor, who manages the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, stressed how important these discoveries are for understanding the town’s forgotten tales.

He pointed out that Washington-on-the-Brazos was once the capital of the Republic of Texas from 1842 to 1845, a time that played a vital part in shaping Texas as we know it today.

Moreover, Davy Crockett, a well-known historical figure, soldier, and politician in American history, spent two nights in Washington-on-the-Brazos on his way to the Alamo.

Discovery of knives, a pig jaw bone, and a horn comb

Failor and his team from Texas A&M University discovered numerous things, including knives, a pig’s jawbone, and a horn comb.

These items provide a glimpse into how people lived centuries ago. They also found a building with a complete brick floor from the 1830s. Altogether, these discoveries help experts understand how the town changed over the years.

Known as the "Birthplace of Texas," Washington on the Brazos is undergoing a historic expansion led by an Aggie!

Remembered for the Texas Declaration of Independence signing, the site will soon include historic recreations connected to Texas' history: https://t.co/xdvyOENhUj pic.twitter.com/Ca4Z6QwaL5

— Texas A&M University 👍 (@TAMU) March 2, 2024

The renovation project aims to rebuild significant buildings from Washington’s history, including Hatfield’s Exchange. This two-story shop was where the 8th and 9th Texas Congress met.

Washington-on-the-Brazos was important during the Texas Revolution, which helped Texas break away from Mexico. As experts keep digging and fixing up the town, set to be completed in 2025, researchers hope to find even more ancient artifacts from its past.

Around 1821, when Texas was part of Mexico, roughly three hundred families made their homes in Southeast Texas.

One of these families, the Robinsons, was among them. The Robinson family eventually settled in the location that would later become Washington. After they moved there, more and more people decided to call Washington their home over the next few decades.

Following Washington’s establishment, Texas began receiving loads of new American settlers. This also caused fights with Mexico.

From October 1835 to April 1836, the Texas Revolution unfolded as a pivotal chapter in history, with Texas ardently asserting its quest for independence. Emerging victorious, Texas successfully secured its autonomy and transitioned into a sovereign state.