University of Florida Students Discover 400-Year-Old Pot, Unveiling Historical Conflicts
Archaeology students at the University of Florida have unearthed a rare, fully intact pot at the site of the former Mission San Francisco de Potano. This discovery sheds light on historical conflicts among indigenous, Spanish, and English powers in Florida. The pot, likely crafted by the Potano Indigenous community, dates back approximately 400 years. The site, established in 1606 under Spanish rule, was a Catholic mission aimed at converting the Potano people. The mission was abandoned in 1706 following destruction by English raiders. The pot was found inside a Spanish-made structure, possibly a barrack for soldiers. The vessel's style is unfamiliar to archaeologists, and its purpose remains uncertain. 
