One of the world’s top 10 discoveries for 2012 found by a Marion County Archaeologist on Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto’s journey through the Southeastern United States will soon be on display at the Appleton Museum of Art.  The discovery was made by American Archeologist Ashley White in Orange Lake, which is now the oldest known New World contact site in the terrestrial United States. Events Coordinator for the Appleton Museum of Art, Steve Specht, says that this is a huge archeological discovery for the area. Â
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The artifacts provide enough physical evidence of De Soto’s journey through Marion County to redraw maps and plan future digs. Specht explains that this is the oldest-known discovery of Spanish de Soto artifacts.Â
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Specht adds not all of the artifacts will call the Appleton Museum home.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Although Specht was unable to confirm who the Spanish dignitaries will be, according to the National Archaeological Society, the artifacts are expected to be collected by his Majesty King Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain during a visit to Florida. The collection entitled “New World Treasures” will be on display from September 22nd through late 2013.
