Remains Of Lost Spanish Fort Found On South Carolina Coast

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. — Archaeologists have found the location of a long-sought Spanish fort on the South Carolina coast near Beaufort. A release from the University of South Carolina says the site of San Marcos, one of five forts built during the 21-year history of the early settlement of Santa Elena, has finally been located on Parris Island. University of South Carolina archaeologist Chester DePratter and Victor Thompson of the Center for Archaeological Sciences at the University of Georgia, have conducted research for the past two years to find the site of the 1577 fort. Using ground-penetrating radar and other high-tech equipment last month they found the site and are publishing the details of their work this week in The Journal of Archaeology Science Reports. Santa Elena, founded in 1566 to protect Spanish shipping interests, was the first capital of Spanish colonial Florida.