The Narváez expedition

America, the artifact--a longish post over at Daily Kos discussing the conquistadors, effects of disease, and the diversity of life and civilizations in North America:

In July of 1536, a group of Spanish businessmen (me: somewhere in Mexico) were surprised to find themselves approached by four uncouth figures. The men had a scattering of rags and bits of animal skin, but were otherwise completely naked except for a covering of ground-in filth. Their skin showed the effects of long exposure to sun, the scars of injuries, and the attention of millions of insects. Their bearded faces were gaunt with hunger and exhaustion.

The initial wariness with which these men were greeted soon turned to open-mouthed amazement as they addressed the businessmen in good Spanish. The four were survivors of an expeditionary force that had originally numbered over six hundred men, a force long assumed lost. Over a space of seven years, these four had been part of pitched battles, withstood a siege, aided in a astounding escape from encircling forces, and watched hundreds of their countrymen fall to conflict, starvation and disease. Most of all they had walked thousands of miles across a strange land no European had seen before and which few others would ever see. They had seen wonders. They had seen North America.

Like I said, a longish post, but very interesting. I was never all that interested in pre-Columbian civilizations. Looks like I may have missed out on a lot of fascinating history.

The Narváez expedition

America, the artifact--a longish post over at Daily Kos discussing the conquistadors, effects of disease, and the diversity of life and civilizations in North America:

In July of 1536, a group of Spanish businessmen (me: somewhere in Mexico) were surprised to find themselves approached by four uncouth figures. The men had a scattering of rags and bits of animal skin, but were otherwise completely naked except for a covering of ground-in filth. Their skin showed the effects of long exposure to sun, the scars of injuries, and the attention of millions of insects. Their bearded faces were gaunt with hunger and exhaustion.

The initial wariness with which these men were greeted soon turned to open-mouthed amazement as they addressed the businessmen in good Spanish. The four were survivors of an expeditionary force that had originally numbered over six hundred men, a force long assumed lost. Over a space of seven years, these four had been part of pitched battles, withstood a siege, aided in a astounding escape from encircling forces, and watched hundreds of their countrymen fall to conflict, starvation and disease. Most of all they had walked thousands of miles across a strange land no European had seen before and which few others would ever see. They had seen wonders. They had seen North America.

Like I said, a longish post, but very interesting. I was never all that interested in pre-Columbian civilizations. Looks like I may have missed out on a lot of fascinating history.