The Francisco
Vazquez de Coronado expedition in arizona
1539-1542
Definitive evidence has now been discovered of the 1539 and 1540 expeditions of Fray Marcos de Niza and Francisco Vazquez de Coronado through Arizona. This solves one of the longest standing mysteries in the American Southwest, which is the route taken by Fray Marcos de Niza and Francisco Vasquez de Coronado through Sonora and Arizona. They were the first Europeans to step foot into this region in 1539 and 1540. Abundant evidence has been found in neighboring New Mexico and also a site has been found in Texas, but their path through Arizona and Sonora has remained a question for nearly 500 years.
Recent discoveries in southern Arizona reveal evidence of the presence of this important expedition, that represents the moment of first contact between Europeans and Native populations in what is now the Southwestern US. Among the findings is a large encampment with hundreds of the diagnostic mid-16th century artifacts that are required to prove the presence of these expeditionaries here in Arizona.
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Coronado: The New Evidence
Next Showing
Now on PBS
Coronado: The New Evidence
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The film is now available at PBS.org but you must be a Passport member to view. BUT we’re psyched to announce that the film will have its broadcast premiere on Tucson’s KUAT in Primetime -8pm -on Wednesday Aug. 21! New stations across the US are coming onboard every day.​​​​​​
Discovering the "Discoverers" in Arizona (First talk announcement, January 29, 2022)
Donate to the documentary film:
https://coronado.wedid.it/campaigns/10117-coronado-history-reborn-a-documentary-film
Watch "The Journey of Coronado by Pedro de CASTAÑEDA read by Sue Anderson | Full Audio Book
Seven Cities of Gold Song
Clockwork Angels is a concept album about a young man's quest to follow his dreams, in which he travels across a lavish and colorful world of steampunk, alchemy and lost cities. Real world history inspired drummer and lyricist Neil Peart as he developed the tale. "The Seven Cities of Gold always fascinated me," he told Rolling Stone. "Southwestern US history especially fascinates me. The whole spur of the Spanish exploration of the Southwestern US was the search for these mythical Seven Cities of Gold. The Spanish ones would go back to Mexico City and say, 'I saw it! I saw it! I just couldn't get to it, but I could see this city of gold in the distance!' They kept believing it and sending expeditions." Link to song
Coronado on the Santa Cruz River, arizona
Most researchers place the Coronado expedition on the San Pedro River, having arrived in what is now southeastern Arizona via the Rio Sonora. New archaeological evidence suggests this is not the case. Only a couple of past researchers have suggested other routes, one being the Santa Cruz River as the point of entry. One of these difficult-to-find sources is provided in the link below:
James H. Simpson 1871
Coronado’s March in Search of the Seven Cities of Cibola and Discussion of Their Possible Location
Coronado in the San Bernardino valley, arizona
Charles Di Peso believed the route went up the San Bernardino Valley, arriving from the south and not entering the modern US until this valley.