A 16th-century Spanish inscription in Grand Canyon?: A hypothesis
Kenny R. 2010. A 16th-century Spanish inscription in Grand Canyon?: A hypothesis. Park Science. 27(2):58–63
We present evidence and discuss the possibility that the site where the first Europeans descended down from the South Rim of Grand Canyon (in an attempt to reach the Colorado River) may not have occurred east of the present-day South Rim Village near Desert View. The discussion centers around the presence of a lone, two-word Spanish- or Portuguese-derivative inscription carved in rock at a promontory below the South Rim—some 50 miles (80 km) west of Desert View. We suggest that Native American guides may have led the first Europeans along an old trail and that the Spaniards may have left behind evidence of their first entrada into the canyon.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Kenny, Ray
- Units
- GRCA , NRSS
- Keywords
- Coronado, Esplanade sandstone, Grand Canyon, inscription, Spanish exploration