In the annals of history, certain discoveries have the power to unravel mysteries and shed light on forgotten chapters.
Such is the case with the remarkable finding of artifacts that point to early Spanish explorers in North Georgia, remarkable artifacts that not only stir the imagination but also uncover the enduring legacy of the Spanish conquistador, Hernando de Soto.
A search for riches leads from Spain to North Georgia
Hernando de Soto, a Spanish explorer and conquistador, ventured into the uncharted territories of the New World during the early 16th century. Born in Extremadura, Spain, around 1496, DeSoto was driven by an insatiable hunger for wealth, power, and prestige.
Inspired by the tales of riches amassed by the likes of Christopher Columbus and Francisco Pizarro, he joined expeditions to Central and South America, accumulating considerable wealth along the way.
In 1539, DeSoto embarked on his most ambitious and fateful journey – the exploration of what is now the southeastern United States. The expedition aimed to uncover vast reserves of gold and silver, conquer native civilizations, and expand Spain’s dominion.
For four years, DeSoto and his men traversed the lands of Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas, encountering various indigenous peoples, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Creek.
The DeSoto Falls of Georgia are located in Lumpkin County, Georgia along Frogtown Creek. There are actually three waterfalls on Frogtown Creek, called Upper DeSoto Falls, Middle Desoto Falls and Lower DeSoto Falls.
DeSoto apparently passed through Georgia around 1540. According to a sign posted on the DeSoto Falls Trail, a 2.4-mile (3.9 km) in and out hiking trail to the falls, a plate of armor was discovered at the base of the falls in the 1880s.
The falls are part of the Chattahoochee National Forest and located in a 650-acre (2.6 km2) area designated the Desoto Falls Scenic Area. There is also a campground located along the banks of Frogtown Creek. DeSoto Falls is one of four popular waterfalls in the Forest located near Helen, Georgia. The other three popular waterfalls are Anna Ruby Falls, Dukes Creek Falls and Raven Cliff Falls, all located in neighboring White County.
More evidence of DeSoto expedition
In western Georgia, the King site, a native village, west of Rome on the Coosa River, yielded another clue to DeSoto’s travels.
The site on Fosters Bend was the focus of major archaeological digs in the 1970s and 1990s.
A decade after the initial excavations, in 1982, artifact seekers found what has been called the DeSoto sword near the site.
The sword is believed to have been manufactured in northern Italy or Germany. Experts believe it was probably a battlefield pick up by the natives after Spanish expeditions through the Coosa Valley in 1540 and 1560 respectively.
Artifacts shed light on history
The unearthing of DeSoto’s artifacts in North Georgia provide a tangible link to an era of exploration, conquest, and cultural exchange that significantly shaped the course of history.
The sword serves as a reminder of the complex interactions between European explorers and indigenous peoples, highlighting the cultural collisions and exchanges that occurred during this tumultuous period.
Furthermore, this discovery challenges traditional narratives that largely overlooked DeSoto’s expedition in the Southeast. While the Spanish conquistadors’ impact on Central and South America has been widely studied, their activities in North America have often been overlooked.
The recovery of the DeSoto’s artifacts emphasizes the importance of revisiting and reevaluating these lesser-known chapters in the Americas’ historical tapestry.