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Hernando
de Soto among the Apalachee by Charles R. Ewen and John H. Hann Charles Ewen and John Hann chronicle the discovery and excavation of the only known campsite of Hernando de Soto's ten-state odyssey in La Florida during the 16th century. Located in downtown Tallahassee in sight of the state capitol, the site was rescued at the last minute from developers—a story almost as compelling as that of de Soto’s expedition. The book has three parts: historical background, archaeological excavations at the site, and a retranslation of the 16th-century narratives relating to the winter encampment. A prologue and epilogue fit the work into the wider context of the Contact Period. John Hann has retranslated the narratives of the De Soto expedition in Apalachee Province--with startling results. Small liberties taken with the original translations presented a misleading picture of the Apalachee and their culture. These versions, coupled with evidence recovered from the winter site, give a new view of the impact of Europeans on the native inhabitants of La Florida. Of particular interest are the discovery, excavation, and preservation of the site. Showing how luck and timing are crucial factors in some important discoveries, Ewen and Hann describe the interaction of archaeologists with private developers, state and city government, and the public and the media. Although it contains information that will be useful to scholars, the book is written in a popular style that makes it accessible to general readers. Charles R. Ewen, associate professor of anthropology at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, is the author of From Spaniard to Creole: The Archaeology of Cultural Formation at Puerto Real, Haiti. John H. Hann is a research historian at the San Luis Historical Site and a leading scholar on the missions of Spanish Florida. He is the author of Apalachee: The Land Between the Rivers (UPF, 1988), Missions to the Calusa (UPF, 1991), and History of the Timucua Indians and Missions (UPF, 1996). Florida Museum of Natural History: Ripley P. Bullen Series A Florida Heritage Publication
3 maps, 16 black and white photographs, 10 illustrations, bibliography, index. ISBN 0-8130-1557-X Paper, $29.95s
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"The authors present scientifically useful information in an extremely accessible style. Recommended for anyone interested in historic archaeology of the Americas." --
Choice "Ewen and Hann helpfully include the documentary record of the encounter, drawing the reader into the discussion, just as their clear presentation of the excavation draws the reader happily into the dirt of the site." --
Tampa Bay History "A fascinating book, the scope of which far transcends the sort of technical archaeological report suggested by the title. . . . Ewen and Hann are to be congratulated for producing a highly readable book that successfully conveys to scholarly and popular audiences alike the excitement of archaeological and historical discovery." --
Sixteenth Century Journal "Ewen and Hann have captured the excitement, tension, commitment, and scholarship that made excavation of the deSoto/Apalachee Site in Tallahassee a landmark in local preservation. . . a book that will be enjoyed by people interested in archaeology, Florida history, and Spanish enterprise in the New World." --
Florida Heritage "A genuine tour de
force for the integration of anthropology, archaeology
and ethnohistory at this first, unequivocal de Soto
expedition site."--Russell K. Skowronek,
Santa Clara University "Indispensable. . . . Will be of interest to southeastern archaeologists, historians of Hispanic America, scholars interested in the early exploration of the Americas . . . and laymen in Florida and surrounding states."--Charles Hudson, University of Georgia
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