Self-Guided Tour - Vats

icon of rectangular vat with water

Quick Facts

Location:

Tumacácori mission grounds

Directly in front of the most important, most symbolic, and most decorated structure of the mission are three features whose purpose remains a mystery.  

Early excavations found hydraulic lime surfaces at the bottom of the boxes, suggesting they were meant to be water tight. However, archeologists and historians continue to disagree about their original function. Some refer to them as cisterns. Others theorize they provided rudimentary “indoor plumbing” to the convento. Still others look to the unfinished bell tower as evidence the vats served a function in working limestone plaster. 

The side walls are reconstructions. We do not know if they originally rose above ground level. What is your leading theory?