Evidence Found in Ga. of Spanish Explorer's Trail

ATLANTA (AP) -- An archaeologist says excavations in southern Georgia have turned up more artifacts that he believes pinpoint part of the trail of the 16th century Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto.

Dennis Blanton of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History was scheduled to present his findings Thursday to the Southeastern Archaeological Conference in Mobile, Ala.

Blanton says excavations since 2006 at a buried Indian settlement revealed nine glass beads and six metal objects, including three iron tools and a silver pendant. The artifacts are consistent with items Spanish explorers used to trade with Indians.

Blanton revealed his initial findings in 2007. The discovery in rural Telfair County is significant because the site is located 90 miles east of where many experts believe de Soto traveled through Georgia in 1540.

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