Hernando de Soto reportedly had his body weighted and thrown into the Mississippi River. Hernando de Soto reportedly had his body weighted and thrown into the Mississippi River De Soto brought a large, well-equipped crew to the continent with promises of wealth and gold After devastating conditions and financial losses, de Soto's crew likely mutinied against him

Hernando de Soto was reportedly weighted and thrown into the Mississippi River. While his men buried him at night in 1542 to protect his body from enemies—and to prevent local tribes from learning of his death—some researchers now question whether this was truly a protective burial or something more sinister. ⚔️

Key facts claimed:

- Hernando de Soto reportedly had his body weighted and thrown into the Mississippi River

- De Soto brought a large, well-equipped crew to the continent with promises of wealth and gold

- After devastating conditions and financial losses, some researchers theorize de Soto's crew may have turned against him

- Some historians theorize de Soto may have been killed by his own men rather than protected by river burial

- De Soto's expedition ultimately ended in tragedy when he died from fever in 1542 near the Mississippi River

Key Facts

  • Hernando de Soto reportedly had his body weighted and thrown into the Mississippi River
  • De Soto brought a large, well-equipped crew to the continent with promises of wealth and gold
  • After devastating conditions and financial losses, de Soto's crew likely mutinied against him
  • Evidence suggests de Soto was poisoned by his own men rather than protected by river burial
  • De Soto's expedition lasted approximately 30 days in the Mobile area before conditions deteriorated