GALVESTON — Archaeologists and students are uncovering layers of Galveston’s past at the Maison Rouge site, a project that spans centuries of the island’s history.

The excavation is a partnership between LX Heritage, a public-facing archaeological nonprofit, and Texas A&M University at Galveston’s Department of Maritime Studies. It also serves as a field school for A&M Galveston students, giving them hands-on experience in archaeological research.

Annalise Dempsey of LX Heritage and Texas A&M, told KGTX 7 the site is unique because it contains artifacts from multiple eras, providing a rare glimpse into the island’s layered history.

“It represents all the layers of the history of Galveston,” Dempsey said. “We can see an Ike destruction layer. We’ve found iron shot, possibly from the Civil War, butchered bones from people who lived here previously, and artifacts from World War II and the mid-1800s. We’re really getting the entire history of the island in this one site.”

The excavation also hosted a community day on its final day in January, allowing the public to see how archaeologists work and learn about the artifacts uncovered.

Organizers say projects like this not only preserve the history of Galveston but also train the next generation of researchers to document and protect it.

The artifacts recovered will undergo further study as part of ongoing research into Galveston’s historical development.