Fort San Juan, 16th century Spanish fort in Burke County, North Carolina, US
Fort San Juan was a Spanish fortification with a trapezoidal outline and a dry moat, located on the Berry archaeological site between two rivers. The remains sit at an excavation area where researchers continue to uncover structural foundations and artifacts from both the Spanish occupation and Native American periods.
Spanish conquistador Juan Pardo built the fort in 1567, establishing it as the first European settlement in the region. The following year, Native Americans destroyed it in an uprising that ended the Spanish presence there.
The settlement served as a meeting point where Spanish soldiers and Native Americans engaged in daily contact and trade. Objects found there today reveal how both groups lived and worked together in this shared space.
The site is an active excavation area where visitors can observe ongoing archaeological work. Wear sturdy shoes, as the terrain between the rivers can become muddy and uneven depending on recent weather.
After destroying the Spanish settlement, Native Americans built a ceremonial mound directly over its remains. This shows how they reclaimed and transformed the destroyed site for their own spiritual purposes.
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