The expedition’s failure to find the treasure it wanted did not make the journey harmless.

It made the journey longer.

THE IRONY OF THE EXPEDITION

De Soto wanted to become wealthy and powerful through the conquest of a new land.

Instead, his expedition became one of the earliest European records of the interior Southeast.

He did not find the empire he expected.

He did leave behind a historical trail.

Centuries later, archaeologists use that trail to find places such as Capachequi.