{16th-Century Spanish} Santa Elena fort found {on Parris Island, SC} after decades-long search

By Stephen Fastenau
sfastenau@beaufortgazette.com

Improved technology helped archaeologists finally locate a 16th-century Spanish fort on what is now Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

Archaeologists had been looking for San Marcos, one of several forts built on the Santa Elena settlement, for more than 20 years. The location was nailed down using radar and magnetometers.

The machines have been in play for archaeologists for years, but the computer programs interpreting the data have vastly improved in recent years, said University of Georgia archaeologist Victor Thompson. Thompson has worked on the site with University of South Carolina archaeologist Chester DePratter, whose search for San Marcos began in 1993.

The general location of the fort had been noted using documents archived in Spain. There was a drawing of the fort and a written description but nothing detailing the location.
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more (incl. slides, videos): http://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/community/beaufort-news/article91869597.html

An interesting article from last year: http://www.islandpacket.com/news/special-reports/article38340543.html

Finally, just so NC won't feel left out: http://www.livescience.com/38417-early-spanish-fort-found-in-north-carolina.html