Secret Skull in Alamo Wall

©1993, San Antonio Express. February 14, 1993

Did you know a skull is secretly entombed in a wall of the Alamo chapel and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas have vowed not to reveal anything about it?

Documentation on the secret skull was provided by a reader worried that the official custodians of the shrine are ignoring an important historical link to the Alamo's origins and early history as Mission San Antonio de Valero. What appears to be a copy of a document from the DRT files says the skull may have been from the Alamo's mission period.

Sealed, hidden

According to the document, during stone repairs in August 1989, the skull was discovered in an empty space behind a stone in a, wall leading to the chapel sacristy. The skull was not removed for archaeological examination, but left Intact and the stone resealed.

The document says the cranium is "now known as Pablo" without explaining why, and adds: "Research concerning Pablo indicates that be may have been a priest or monk of a higher order who was entombed into the wall as the spiritual guardian to the sacristy, as such, a red rosary was also placed in the negative space."

The report was to be sealed in an airtight container and placed in the niche near the skull, along with a 1989 silver coin, the opening then resealed and camouflaged.

The report also cites orders from Curtis Tunnel, executive director of the Texas Historical Commission, that "no mention is to be made publicly as to the location or disposition of Pablo." The report lists Alamo Committee Chairwoman Pauline Wilson and other DRT officials and is signed by the Alamo curator; the stonemason and three assistants.

Not true . . .

Why would a mission-era skull be left entombed and kept secret? Contacted in Austin, Tunnel knew nothing about "research", naming the skull "Pablo" or indications it was a monk's skull. "That's just speculation -- someone's fantasy, I suspect." He did confirm the skull was looked at and, because part had collapsed, was left in place.

"We can't really nail down a specific date and say a skull is from the mission period or the Alamo battle 40 or 50 years later. Scientific analysis just isn't that precise yet," Tunnel said, explaining why it wasn't removed for study. He said it could have been put in the wall anytime in the past.

He said the site was not marked because "there are too many plaques in the Alamo now." but "if we knew for sure the skull was of a monk or priest, a plaque would certainly be appropriate."

He agreed that "there should be more historical information on the Alamo's mission period." Tunnel denied giving any orders that the discovery and location of the skull be kept secret.

The DRT report gives detailed direction in inches to the location, so watch for my new booth on Alamo Plaza offering maps to the Secret Tomb of the Alamo Skull for $5 each, 2 cents more with an Ozzy Osbourne autograph.