List of sites and peoples visited by the Hernando de Soto Expedition

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A proposed route for the de Soto Expedition, based on Charles M. Hudson map of 1997.[1]

This is a list of sites and peoples visited by the Hernando de Soto Expedition in the years 1539–1543. In May 1539, de Soto left Havana, Cuba, with nine ships, over 620 men and 220 surviving horses and landed at Charlotte Harbor, Florida. This began his three-year odyssey through the Southeastern North American continent, from which de Soto and a large portion of his men would not return.

They met many varied Native American groups, most of them bands and chiefdoms related to the widespread Mississippian culture. Only a few of these ancestral cultures survived into the seventeenth century, or their descendants combined as historic tribes known to later Europeans. Others have been recorded only in the written historical accounts of de Soto's expedition.

Florida[]

A proposed route for the first leg of the de Soto Expedition, based on Charles M. Hudson map of 1997.

Georgia[]

The second leg of the de Soto Expedition, from Apalachee to the Alibamu.

The peoples the expedition encountered in Georgia were speakers of Muskogean languages. The expedition made two journeys through Georgia - the first heading northeast to Cofitachequi in South Carolina, and the second heading southwest from Tennessee, at which point they visited the Coosa chiefdom.

First Leg

After leaving Ocute, the expedition crossed the "Wilderness of Ocute" (the modern-day Savannah River basin) to arrive in present-day South Carolina. Artifacts from the first leg have been found in Telfair County, Georgia.

Second Leg

All territory the expedition crossed through during this leg was under the control of Coosa, a paramount chiefdom with territory in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee.

South Carolina[]

The primary destination of the expedition in South Carolina was the paramount chiefdom of Cofitachequi. The people of this chiefdom were likely the ancestors of the modern Cherokee and Catawba.

North Carolina[]

  • Joara, near Morganton, North Carolina
  • Cheraw (tribe)
  • Chelaque

Tennessee[]

De Soto's men burn Mabila, illustration by H.Roe
  • Chiska
  • Chiaha
  • Coste
  • Tali
  • Chalahume
  • Satapo

Alabama[]

Parts of Coosa extended into Alabama. The other primary chiefdom encountered by the expedition was that of Tuscaluza. The peoples encountered in Alabama were likely the ancestors of the modern Creek, Alabama, and Choctaw.

Mississippi[]

A map showing the de Soto expedition route through Mississippi, and Arkansas, up to the point de Soto dies. Based on the Charles M. Hudson map of 1997.

Arkansas[]

  • Casqui, believed by many archaeologists to be the same as the site of the Parkin Archeological State Park.[1][2]
  • Pacaha, believed by many archaeologists to be the Nodena Site.[1][2]
  • Coligua
  • Tunica people
  • Tula people
  • Anilco, possibly the Menard Complex in the southeastern corner of the state.[1]
  • Guachoya
  • Quapaw
  • Caddoans
    • Aays Caddo confederacy.
    • Naguatex

Texas[]

A map showing the de Soto expedition. This section shows Moscoso's route through Arkansas, and Texas, and then to Mexico after de Soto's death. Based on the Charles M. Hudson map of 1997.
  • Caddo
  • Nadaco (Nondacao)
  • Hasinai
  • Adai (Native American culture)

See also[]

  • Alabama language
  • Caddoan languages
  • Cherokee language
  • Chickasaw language
  • Choctaw language
  • Creek language
  • Etowah Indian Mounds
  • Hitchiti
  • Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park
  • Lake Village, Arkansas
  • Mississippian culture
  • Moundville Archaeological Site
  • Ocmulgee National Monument
  • Pisgah Phase
  • Southeastern Ceremonial Complex
  • Timucua language
  • Yamasee
  • Yazoo tribe

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Hudson, Charles M. (1997). Knights of Spain, Warriors of the Sun. University of Georgia Press.
  2. ^ a b Morse, Phyllis A. (1981). Parkin. Arkansas Archaeological Survey. OCLC 7540091.


Retrieved from ""