Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/366131
O PowerofGood.com | Summer 2014 Mysterious Mabila on A muggy memoriAl dAy, in a remote clearing near the Alabama River, three of the state's most eminent anthropologists and one of the state's best-known histo- rians huddled around a hand-drawn map they hope can take them a few steps nearer to finding one of the most significant historic sites in North America. On Oct. 18, 1540, an armed force led by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto clashed with Indian war- riors led by the famed chieftain Tascalusa. The ferocious encounter decimated Tascalusa's people and left the fortified Indian village in ruins. But it also proved to be a fatal blow to De Soto's expedition. Severely weakened, De Soto led his battle-scarred troops deeper into the unmapped continent. He would not survive, and the rem- nants of his army were ultimately forced to find their way back to the relative safety of Mexico. To this day, the precise location of this epic battle, at the lost Indian town of Mabila, remains a vexing mystery. But the allure of Mabila – which some experts believe could rival Antietam as the deadliest day of com- bat on U.S. soil – is undeniable. Now, with the support of the Alabama Power Foundation, a two-year, three-university archaeological expedition is getting underway. The hope: to get closer to finding Mabila – a discovery that would cement Ala- bama's importance as the site of one of the most impor- tant battles in the history of the Western Hemisphere. In the quest for Mabila, "we will be examining one of the most important archaeological sites on the Alabama River," said Greg Waselkov, profes- sor of anthropology at the University of South Alabama and lead researcher for the expedition. The location to be scrutinized is not Mabi- la, but another site where De Soto's troops may have crossed the Alabama River on their way to the village. If the two-year dig can confirm that, then scholars can use the historic chronicles of De Soto's journey, written by others who accompanied the STORy AnD PHOTOS By mICHAel SznAJDeRmAn 9 Scholars hope a two-year exploration, supported by the Alabama Power Foundation, will help find the site of an epic Alabama battle. MABILA continued on page 10 The two-year dig will take place on the Alabama River, where De Soto's troops are believed to have crossed.