Hall, Grant D. 2008-02-21
Grant Hall talks about the prehistory, history, and discovery of the San Saba site located in present day Menard, Texas.
This interview features Grant Hall as he discusses the San Saba presidio and mission and his love for archeology. In this interview, Grant describes the San Saba quarry site and the search for the mission that existed in the area. He then describes some of the artifacts they found at the mission site, and compares them to the artifacts found at the presidio site. Grant then explains his interest in looking for archeological sites near areas where there were pecan trees. He ends the interview by recounting other sites he has worked on and his love for teaching archeology.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Grant D. Hall
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: February 21, 2008
Location: Junction, Texas
Interviewer: David Marshall
Length: 02:04:14
Abstract
Short Abstract: Introduction and the San Saba site; The presidio quarry site; The reconstruction of the presidio and the search for the mission; The Sundial artifact and evidence of the battle; Comparison of finds between the mission and the presidio; Native pecan trees and plants in Menard; Grant’s childhood and his love for archeology; His interest in Choke Canyon and other areas he’s worked at
Long Abstract:
Introduction; San Saba location; Prehistory of San Saba site; Native American inhabitants; Spanish interests with the San Saba area; Motivations for Spanish colonist to move north; Founding the Mission and Presidio; Miles of separation; Strategic error when building the Presidio; Attack on San Saba; Mission burned; Largest Spanish fort built; Stone quarry; Presidio rock used for modern construction; Reconstruction of the front entry way; Redesigning the fort in San Saba; Opinions on the reconstruction of the site; Reconstruction failing to preserve site; Searching for the original mission site; Analyzing documents and conducting field studies; Texas A&M University survey team; San Saba County; Texas Tech University Archaeological field school; Presidio heroes and Presidio occupation; Aerial photographs of the site; Discovery of the San Saba Mission; Artifacts found at the Mission; Finding funding to excavate the San Saba site; Mission on County Judge Otis Lyckman’s property; Judge Lyckman’s reaction; Artifacts recovered indicating attack on the Mission; Media coverage of the San Saba site; Lead comparisons; Artifacts recovered at the San Saba site; Inventory of Spanish artifacts; Missing artifacts over time; Discovering the dimensions of the mission; Historical marker of the site; Killing of all the livestock; Gold sun dial recovered; Cleaning of the sun dial; Reading the inscriptions; European instrument maker; Speculations on the sun dial; Comparisons on artifacts found at the Presidio and Mission; Texas Tech University field school; Fragment of a statue; Locating a broken statue; Donny Hamilton; Working with “La Belle”—La Salle’s ship; Locating the San Saba site; Spanish planting vegetation; Pecan tree growth; Homesteads; Finding post stains; Discovering layout of a homestead; Plow zone; Finding graves; Stock pen crossing; Thoughts on the San Saba site; Native American problems; Charming career; Growing up in Edinburg, Texas; Early interest in Archaeology; Attending the University of Texas; Changing major; Working at Allen’s Creek; Moving to San Antonio, Texas; Analyzing artifacts from Allen’s Creek; Major research interests; Native Pecan trees; Deciding on an Archaeological field school; Prehistoric Catfish farms; Working on Choke Canyon project; Father’s support for archaeology career; Grandfather’s career; Father’s career; Archaeology training; Archaeology as a multidisciplinary study; Strong interests in history; Preferring to teach; Rewards of teaching; Getting students interested in Archaeology.
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes: access copy available in reading room
Transcript: Transcript available on dspace <https://hdl.handle.net/10605/363064>
Related Interviews: Hall, Grant 2008-10-24
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