The Archaeology of Joara

About this event

Join Mike Carpenter of the Exploring Joara Foundation for a look at the Berry Site, an active archaeological site dating back to the 16th century in our own backyard! The site is the location of the Native American town of Joara, which was visited by the Spanish explorers Hernando de Soto in 1540 and Juan Pardo in 1567. In 2013, archaeologists confirmed that this site is also the site of the Spanish Fort San Juan, established by Juan Pardo in 1567. Fort San Juan was the first European settlement established in the interior of what is now the United States, predating Roanoke by nearly 20 years and Jamestown by 40 years. About the Speaker: Mike Carpenter is a native of Catawba County, now living in Hickory with his wife Gina (and their Maltese, Piper). He has helped with excavations at the Berry Site in Burke County since 2007. He has also helped with excavations at both the Town Creek Indian Mound (in Montgomery County) and the Carson House (in McDowell County). He is on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Archaeological Society and the Exploring Joara Foundation. He has served as a staff member of the Berry Site Archaeology Field School since 2022. The Exploring Joara Foundation educates and engages the public through hands-on archaeology and history programs, events, and opportunities to discover our diverse cultural and historical past with a focus on Native American and early colonial history. Exploring Joara is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.