Archaeologists, working with preservation architects, structural engineers, and stone experts, carefully excavated inside the Alamo's oldest building, the Long Barrack, revealing its foundations so their condition could be assessed and uncovering details about the building's life since its construction in 1724. As they dug, approximately 20 distinct layers emerged, each either a compacted floor surface or sediment accumulated between floors. The excavation showed that the Long Barrack could have had up to 10 different living surfaces over its lifetime, with the lowest and oldest about two feet underground.