Home / National Park Service Exhibits / El Morro National Monument (ELMO) / Historic Artifacts and Inscriptions / Spanish Colonial Artifacts 27
Spanish conquistadors traveling under Francisco Vasquez de Coronado entered New Mexico and made it as far as Zuni by AD 1540. It was not until 1583, however, that the Spanish reached what is now El Morro National Monument, which Antonio de Espejo, a man sent in search of members of a previous Spanish expedition into New Mexico, described as El Estanque de Penol (pool at the great rock). Within five years of this recording, Don Juan de Onate officially colonized New Mexico, and on April 16, 1605, inscribed his name on the now famous Inscription Rock. Learn more on the NPS webpage The Spaniards.
- 1727 Prayer Book
Cultural Period: Spanish Colonial (late 1500s – 1846) Description: 1727 edition of Father Manuel Perez’s “Cathecismo Romano, Traducico en Castellano y Mexicano,” published by Francisco de Rivera Calderou in Mexico. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - 1727 Prayer Book, Dedication Page
Cultural Period: Spanish Colonial (late 1500s – 1846) Description: 1727 edition of Father Manuel Perez’s “Cathecismo Romano, Traducico en Castellano y Mexicano,” published by Francisco de Rivera Calderou in Mexico. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - 1727 Prayer Book, Title Page
Cultural Period: Spanish Colonial (late 1500s – 1846) Description: 1727 edition of Father Manuel Perez’s “Cathecismo Romano, Traducico en Castellano y Mexicano,” published by Francisco de Rivera Calderou in Mexico. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - Cast Iron Dragon, Exterior
Cultural Period: Historic (late 1500s – 1950) Description: Cast iron stylized dragon, possibly from an escutcheon plate (a decorative usually used to hide cut holes such as those made for door locks and plumbing fixtures). The design is possibly Spanish. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - Cast Iron Dragon, Interior
Cultural Period: Historic (late 1500s – 1950) Description: Cast iron stylized dragon, possibly from an escutcheon plate (a decorative usually used to hide cut holes such as those made for door locks and plumbing fixtures). The design is possibly Spanish. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - Dagger
Cultural Period: Spanish Colonial (late 1500s – 1846) Description: Dagger with ornate, flowery engravings at the base of the blade. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - Dagger, Alternate View
Cultural Period: Spanish Colonial (late 1500s – 1846) Description: Dagger with ornate, flowery engravings at the base of the blade. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - Iron Object
Cultural Period: Historic Spanish (late 1500s – 1846) Description: Conical iron object deeply pitted by rust and heavy for its size. Speculated to be of Spanish origin and possibly any of the following: • A lance-head • A guide-on (flag standard tip) • An ox-goad • A shepherd’s crook. Provenience: 100-300 feet east and south of the old Ranger Cabin north of the present-day headquarters of El Morro National Monument. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - Iron Object, Alternate View
Cultural Period: Historic Spanish (late 1500s – 1846) Description: Conical iron object deeply pitted by rust and heavy for its size. Speculated to be of Spanish origin and possibly any of the following: • A lance-head • A guide-on (flag standard tip) • An ox-goad • A shepherd’s crook. Provenience: 100-300 feet east and south of the old Ranger Cabin north of the present-day headquarters of El Morro National Monument. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - Lance
Cultural Period: Spanish Colonial (late 1500s – 1846) Description: Metal lance with a partial wooden shaft. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - Lead Musket Ball
Cultural Period: Spanish Colonial (late 1500s – 1846) Description: Lead musket ball damaged from impact. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - Lead Musket Ball
Cultural Period: Spanish Colonial (late 1500s – 1846) Description: Lead musket ball damaged from impact. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - Pikeman's Helmet, Back
Cultural Period: Spanish Colonial (late 1500s – 1846) Description: Spanish pikeman’s helmet with a ridge across the top and two holes on either side near the brim. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - Pikeman's Helmet, Front
Cultural Period: Spanish Colonial (late 1500s – 1846) Description: Spanish pikeman’s helmet with a ridge across the top and two holes on either side near the brim. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro. - Rosary
Cultural Period: Spanish Colonial (late 1500s – 1846) Description: Rosary with black beads and a silver and black crucifix. Provenience: Unknown. Collection: National Park Service, El Morro.