DeSoto Chronicles match artifacts found at Garden Creek. DeSoto Chronicles describe the temple at Cofitachequi with detailed descriptions matching artifacts found Chronicles mention wooden chests/boxes containing bodies of chiefs, with carved portrait statues above Described shields woven with cane, interwoven with pearls and sea pearls
DeSoto Chronicles describe the temple at Cofitachequi: wooden chests containing chief remains with carved portrait statues, shields woven with cane and pearls. Explorers found 12+ horse loads of pearls, worked copper, figurines of squirrels, bears, lions, panthers. The Chronicles describe the temple burned by DeSoto's expedition - fire-damaged artifacts found at the site may match. Four metal bullets found are consistent with the DeSoto expedition timeframe. However, researchers note that European artifacts entered Indigenous trade networks, and documented inaccuracies exist in the 460-year-old chronicles, complicating definitive connections between specific artifacts and de Soto's descriptions.
Key Facts
- DeSoto Chronicles describe the temple at Cofitachequi with detailed descriptions matching artifacts found
- Chronicles mention wooden chests/boxes containing bodies of chiefs, with carved portrait statues above
- Described shields woven with cane, interwoven with pearls and sea pearls
- Found over 12 horse loads of pearls, worked copper, and figurines of squirrels, bears, lions, panthers
- The Chronicles describe the temple burned by DeSoto's expedition
- Fire damaged artifacts show evidence of high heat consistent with burning
- Four metal bullets found at the mound match DeSoto's expedition
Related site: Garden Creek site — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Ep. 4 - The Shaman and the Philosopher - Vincent Barrows: Part 2 by Institute for Natural Philosophy