Archaeology Lecture Series: Don Tristán de Luna y Arellano’s Colony & Fleet

In 1559, a Spanish fleet sailed into Pensacola Bay, Florida, to found a colony. What would have been a self-sustaining and permanent colony in the present-day United States was destroyed almost as soon as it began when a powerful hurricane struck, sinking most of the ships and much of the colonists’ food supplies. In 1992, one of the ships of the lost fleet was discovered, a second was found in 2006, and a third in 2016. In 2015, the UWF archaeology program announced the finding of the Luna settlement land site. The investigation of the ships (dubbed Emanuel Point I, II, and III) and the settlement site by the University of West Florida’s Archaeology Program is revealing fascinating information about early Spanish colonization, seafaring, ship construction, and material culture. This is a multi-component project incorporating both terrestrial, underwater archaeology, and documents research as part of its overall research design, while incorporating a curriculum and training program for both undergraduate and graduate students.

The featured speaker for this lecture will be Dr. John R. Bratten of the University of West Florida. This program is sponsored by the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society, and the Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education.

For more information please contact (727) 453-6500 or email weedonisland@pinellascounty.org

Reservation policy:
Before continuing, we would like to make you aware of our reservation policies. Cancellations – If your class is canceled for any reason you will be notified no less than 24 hours prior to class start. We will provide a full refund for cancellations made by Pinellas County Extension. Refunds may take up to 30 days to process. Payment – We require full payment at time of reservation so be prepared with a credit card to complete this transaction. Refunds – Refunds will be made in the event of a class cancellation or if the registrant requests a refund 24 hours prior to the class time. Reservations – You must be 18 to make a reservation. If you are under 18 and want to attend a class you must register and attend with a parent or guardian.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution.