Discovery and Investigation of the Luna Settlement

Author(s): Elizabeth D Benchley; John Worth

Year: 2017

Summary

The unexpected 2015 discovery of the Tristán de Luna y Arellano settlement (1559-1561) overlooking two Luna shipwrecks in Pensacola Bay has expanded research directions and public outreach by University of West Florida (UWF) archaeologists. Working in an established Pensacola neighborhood, UWF archaeologists have found diagnostic 16th century Spanish artifacts (Spanish ceramics, Aztec ceramics, wrought nails, armor, weapons, personal items, trade beads) across at least eight city blocks.  Intact features are present in some locations.  Ongoing investigations focus on bounding the site and searching for structures and activity areas that will help us understand the history and dynamics of a population of 1500 multi-ethnic colonists stranded at the edge of empire.

Cite this Record

Discovery and Investigation of the Luna Settlement. Elizabeth D Benchley, John Worth. Presented at Society for Historical Archaeology, Fort Worth, TX. 2017 ( tDAR id: 435668)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

min long: -129.199; min lat: 24.495 ; max long: -66.973; max lat: 49.359 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 660