Archaeologists are studying the buried remains of a ship from a Spanish colonization fleet led by Don Tristan de Luna.

Archaeologists working on a dig in southern Telfair County, Georgia, believed they were looking for a 17th century Spanish mission. Instead they found something even more interesting: evidence of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto's 1540 travels through the state.

Earlier this year, a man named Cesar Gomez Rivero from Uruguay allegedly walked into the Biblioteca Nacional de España and swiped a series of maps from a 15th century edition of Geographia (one of four major treatises of Ptolemy, the Greek scholar who lived in Roman Egypt during the second century).

The Nina, "the Most Historically Accurate Replica of a Columbus Ship Ever Built," will be touring the southern United States during November and December 2007. Tours are available.

Divers are examining the remains of a ship which sank off the coast of Pensacola, Florida during a hurricane in 1559. The ship is believed to be one of several Spanish ships sent to colonize the area. A previous ship was discovered 15 years ago.

Spanish scientists are trying to learn more about Christopher Columbus' early years by studying the DNA samples taken from those bearing the explorer's name.

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Please come and join us for a gastronomic tour of late-period Spain, Galacia and Portugal. We will be holding a sotelties competition in the theme of 'Birds of the Knowne World', a cordials competition, and a competition to select the next Bard of Vinhold consisting of three pieces (a documented piece, a piece in documented style and a Masterwork of the performers best)!

When:
2pm-9pm November 3rd 2007. First course will be served at 3pm. Location:
Barony of Vinhold (Napa, California)

A silver coin dated 1597 has been found on North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia, possibly predating Captain Cook's discovery of the continent.

Archaeologists working on the Gask Ridge Project in Scotland now believe that the fortification, which predates Hadrian's Wall by 50 years, was an important part of the Roman defense in northern Britain. The forts were later incorporated into the Antonine Wall.

Archaeologists are studying what they believe are the remnants of conquistador Hernando de Soto's camp in Tallahasse, Florida abandoned in 1540. The site is near the modern state capitol.

The skull of what is believed to be the earliest gunshot victim in the western hemisphere has been discovered near Lima, Peru.

A controversy has arisen over the authenticity of La Tizona, purported to be the sword of legendary Spanish hero El Cid. The sword was purchased recently for UK£1m by authorities in the Castilla Leon region, but others in the Culture Ministry claim that the sword is a fraud.

Archaeologist Andrew Holmes believes he has discovered the site of the Indian town of Mauvilla where Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto engaged local Indians in a massive battle. The town is near the forks of the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers in southern Clarke County, Alabama.

On Saturday April 7, 2007, Oxford University scholar Jeremy Johns will present a lecture on the Alhambra, the "best preserved palace of the medieval Islamic world," in the Meyer Auditorium of the Freer Gallery in Washington, D.C.

A shackled skeleton thought to date from between the 13th and 16th centuries C.E. has been discovered in Ávila, Spain.

Over five centuries after expelling the Jews from their country, the Spanish have developed an interest in Judaica, especially through archaeology or the restoration of period documents.

"Genovese nobleman or Catalan pirate? Adventurous explorer or greedy tyrant? What if the Italian gentleman who discovered America was in fact a brutal torturer and slave owner? And what if he wasn't even Italian?" Two Spanish scholars hope to answer some of the long-debated questions about Christopher Columbus using newly obtained evidence.

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The Barony of Blatha An Oir is once again having its annual Harvest Feast on the 4th of November. Their Excellencies invite you to join the Barony as we enjoy the comfort foods of Spain. The Chest of Largess grows bare and a request from Our Baroness has come forth to the populace of Blatha An Oir to show their support and to bring offerings for the continuance of generosity at future events. Harvest Feast is our traditional opportunity to share our bounty and to fulfill this request in splendorous courtly fashion. Location:
Barony of Blatha An Oir (Tacoma, Washington)

Miguel de Cervantes, creator of Don Quixote and spiritual ancestor of thousands of SCAdians, was born on October 9, 1547. His Wikipedia entry says "he lived an unsettled life of hardship and adventure."

In 1526, Luis Vasquez de Ayllon attempted to establish a Spanish colony on the coast of what is now the state of Georgia. He ran his vessel aground off the South Carolina coast, and it all began to go horribly wrong. Now researchers are looking for the wrecked flagship of the colony expedition.

Elisabeth de Valois, third of the four wives of Philip II of Spain, died on October 4, 1568. She had originally been betrothed to his son but married the father as part of a peace settlement.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean on September 29, 1513.

The Pope issued a bull establishing Ignatius Loyola's new Society of Jesus (the Jesuit order) on September 24, 1540. The Society was and still is answerable directly to the Pope himself.

Don Tristan de Luna y Arellano is recognized as the founder of the first European settlement in Florida which was established near Pensacola in 1559. The settlement was destroyed by a hurricane two years later. Now, with the 450th anniversary approaching, archaeologists are searching for the site.

Love Spain but can't afford the plane fare? Visit the virtual walking tour of the Alhambra.

Medical researchers working with the 500-year-old pinky of Emperor Charles V of Spain report that the mummified finger shows signs of debilitating gout which would have caused great pain. Charles V abdicated in favor of his brother at the age of 56.

The recent discovery of inscriptions in the Basque language dating to the 3rd century has researchers excited. Considered one of the oldest European languages, Basque has been linked to African, Caucasian or Etruscan tongues or thought to have developed on its own.

John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, ancestor of English kings, sailed for Spain on July 9, 1386.

Don Carlos "the Mad" of Spain, son of King Phillip II, was born on July 8, 1545.

Hernan Cortes and his soldiers fled the city of Tenochtitlan on July 1, 1520, an event traditionally remembered as "La Noche Triste."