Public Invited to Tour Archaeological Excavation

Presidio of San Francisco (July 20, 2007) — Cabrillo College archaeology students and their professors will offer public tours on Wednesday, July 25 from 12 pm to 4 pm of the ongoing excavation of a Spanish chapel on the Presidio that was built in 1780 and believed to be one of the first buildings in San Francisco.

The goal of the excavation is to recover additional information about the early history of the Presidio, and to prepare the archaeological sites for long-term, on-going public viewing. The Presidio was originally established by Spain in 1776 as el Presidio de San Francisco, a small military fort at the Golden Gate.

The Presidio Trust is hosting the Cabrillo College archaeology students for a summer field school at the Presidio to continue excavations of the original Spanish-Mexican Chapel, the southern “lienzo” or defense wall of el Presidio, and a standing adobe wall within Building 50.

“This is an exciting opportunity for students to get hands-on experience in archaeological excavation,” said Professor Rob Edwards of Cabrillo College, “The Presidio’s rich history makes it a great classroom.”

The chapel excavation is taking place on the east side of the Presidio Officers’ Club, which is located at 50 Moraga Avenue at Arguello.

Please visit the Presidio website for more information on Presidio archaeology:.

For more information regarding the Cabrillo College Archaeology Technology Program:www.cabrillo.edu/academics/archtech/.”