Archaeologists still search for the site of first Spanish settlement La Navidad

Archaeologists have yet to find the exact site of La Navidad, the first Spanish settlement in the Americas, Euronews reported. Christopher Columbus established the fort on the coast of Hispaniola during his first voyage after his flagship ran aground on Christmas Eve in 1492. [1][3]

The Santa Maria ran aground off Haiti, prompt Columbus to use the timbers from the wrecked ship to construct Fort Navidad, Euronews reported. The admiral left 39 men behind at the outpost when his remaining ships returned to Castile. [1]

La Navidad was built on the northwest coast of Hispaniola in an area ruled by the Taino cacique Guacanagarix. Indigenous people destroyed the settlement by the following year, and all 39 Spanish men died. [1][3][5]

After the destruction of La Navidad, the Spanish established La Isabela between late December 1493 and early January 1494 in present day Dominican Republic. La Isabela became the first stable Spanish town in the Americas. [4]