Ga. archaeologist: more clues to de Soto’s trail

  ATLANTA (AP) - An archaeologist says excavations in southern
Georgia have turned up more artifacts that he believes pinpoint
part of the trail of the 16th century Spanish explorer Hernando de
Soto.
    Dennis Blanton of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History was
scheduled to present his findings Thursday to the Southeastern
Archaeological Conference in Mobile, Ala.
    Blanton says excavations since 2006 at a buried Indian
settlement revealed nine glass beads and six metal objects,
including three iron tools and a silver pendant. The artifacts are
consistent with items Spanish explorers used to trade with Indians.
    Blanton revealed his initial findings in 2007. The discovery in
rural Telfair County is significant because the site is located 90
miles east of where many experts believe de Soto traveled through
Georgia in 1540.