USC archaeologist featured in National Geographic

USC archaeologist Chester DePratter is featured prominently in a Nov. 22 National Geographic news story on Fort San Juan. In the article, DePratter reveals the theory behind the existence of Fort San Juan in North Carolina. It was DePratter who, 20 years ago, suggested to David Moore, an archaeologist at Warren Wilson College, that he dig near the American Indian village of Joara in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains for evidence of a fort and an expedition by Captain Juan Pardo. DePratter based his lead on a written account that he uncovered by Juan de la Vandera, a scribe on a Pardo's expedition in 1566 from Fort Santa Elena (now Parris Island) in search of a route to the Spanish gold mines of Mexico. Moore has unearthed artifacts and evidence of Fort San Juan, proving DePratter's theory. Moore's archaeological find, along with DePratter's research, helps further the history and understanding of Pardo and early Spanish explorations and settlements in the Carolinas. DePratter is well known for his archaeological excavations and findings at Santa Elena and the, most notably, the discovery of Charlesfort. 12/04