"Uncovering a Potential Link to Coronado's Texas Panhandle Expedition: The Discovery of an Artifact"
A small piece of obsidian found in the Texas Panhandle has been linked to Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado's expedition by SMU anthropologist Matthew Boulanger. The artifact's chemical composition ties it to Central Mexico's Sierra de Pachuca mountain range, where indigenous people used obsidian to produce cutting tools. The discovery suggests that Coronado's expedition, which included indigenous people from Mexico, may have passed through the area. The artifact's origin raises questions about trade networks and provides potential clues to the expedition's trail, emphasizing the importance of documenting artifact locations for archaeologists.