"MYSTERIES OF CORONADO'S EXPLORATION ACROSS ARIZONA -- 1539-442"
A generation after Cortes conquered Mexico, early Spaniards expected another wealthy empire to their north on the unknown land mass. Coronado's mammoth expedition made the first traverse across Sonora, Arizona, and New Mexico (and all the way to Kansas!), recording many observations of native life -- literally the last and only observations of prehistoric natives in our area. A support expedition by sea discovered the Colorado River. Mysteries persist about exactly where the Spaniards were, and whether they told the truth. As with the Apollo expeditions, explorers gave up and didn't return for more than a generation. This short slide-illustrated talk is based on my refereed research published in several books and journals. I'll include a report of participation by Gayle and me on first discovery of a Coronado on-the-march campsite, yielding chain mail and crossbow points, in Texas!
Useful Link: Coronado's Exploration into the American Southwest