Abstract

SARCINA, Alberto. Santa María de la Antigua del Darién, the First Spanish City in Terra Firma: A Systematic Archaeological Prospection. Rev. colomb. antropol. [online]. 2017, vol.53, n.1, pp.269-300. ISSN 0486-6525.

In the year 1510, Santa María de la Antigua del Darién was the first Spanish city founded on American Terra Firma. In 2013, ICANH started a Management and Protection Plan for this site. In the initial phase, the main archaeological objectives were to identify and to delimit the Spanish city area and test the hypothesis that Bahia La Gloria was the city's seaport. Evidence gathered by on-site prospections with test pits were crossed and supported by satellite imagery, soil analyses, and underwater surveys. As a result, for the first time we can define with certainty the city's location and boundaries and those of the Cueva village next to which it was built. Lack of evidence of Spanish origin from underwater surveys and terrestrial prospections, reduce the possibility that Bahia La Gloria was the city's ancient seaport.

Keywords : Santa María de la Antigua del Darién; Terra Firma; first spanish city; archaeological prospection..

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