The de Soto Winter Encampment Site
From October of 1539 through March of 1540 Hernando de Soto and over 600 men
occupied Anhaica, the capital of the Apalachee chiefdom, and established a winter encampment. The conquistador's
expedition scoured the countryside, living off of the food pilfered from local inhabitants. Excavations uncovered
evidence of a thriving Apalachee town and 16th century Spanish artifacts including chainmail, a crossbow bolt,
coins, beads, and pottery. A pig jaw found in association with other 16th century artifacts likely came from the
herd of swine de Soto brought to feed a potential colony.
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