The Exploring Joara Foundation...”unearthing the forgotten past”

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The Exploring Joara Foundation...”unearthing the forgotten past” Spanish explorer Juan Pardo and his army of 125 men trekked through the Catawba and Wateree river valleys in the mid-1500s. As such, they are irreplaceable.

With a threefold emphasis on supporting research, education and outreach, the Exploring Joara Foundation is dedicated to finding and protecting archaeological resources while fostering an understanding and appreciation for archaeology in the western NC. The foundation supports work at the Berry site, the remains of sixteenth-century Fort San Juan at the native town of Joara, and runs a public archaeology program that includes field schools, teacher workshops, summer archaeology camps, and presentations and workshops for schools and organizations. Archaeological discoveries at the Berry Site, north of Morganton NC, reveal glimpses of the sixteenth-century Native American and Spanish settlers in Western North Carolina's Catawba River Valley. These finds suggest that Fort San Juan was the earliest European settlement in the interior of the United States – predating the Lost Colony of Roanoke by 20 years. In 1567 they built Fort San Juan near the Native American town of JOARA, the first of six forts constructed along the river valley. All six were destroyed by fire in 1568. Locally known as “the Berry Site,” the burned remains of Fort San Juan and Joara, the Native American village are archaeological treasures.

We are pleased to announce that the Exploring Joara Foundation was awarded a grant by the MFG Foundation. Molded Fiber G...
10/13/2026

We are pleased to announce that the Exploring Joara Foundation was awarded a grant by the MFG Foundation. Molded Fiber Glass Companies (MFG) was founded in 1948 by Robert S. Morrison in Ashtabula, Ohio. MFG is a pioneer and a leading private manufacturer of custom-molded, fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) and composite material parts in North America. The Morganton operation is a key employer in Burke County.

Since 2008, the Exploring Joara Foundation (EJF) has invited the public, young and old, to be a part of discovering our nation’s past. We engage with the community to share the story that has evolved over time; from arrowheads found on Burke County farmlands to the discovery of the Spanish Fort San Juan built in 1567.

Excavations in Burke County are literally changing history books. Nearly 20 years before The Lost Colony, 40 years before Jamestown, and 53 years before the Mayflower landed in Plymouth, the Spanish Conquistador Juan Pardo built a series of six forts from the coast of South Carolina into the mountains of east Tennessee.

Operated by volunteers, and supported by donations, EJF offers engaging, hands-on learning opportunities to learn the story about Pardo’s expedition and the Native people who he met. We deliver public programs at the Berry archaeological site, the Living History Village* at Catawba Meadows Park in Morganton, The Wall Center for Archaeological Research and in classrooms across Western North Carolina.

Our reach within Burke County includes the Industrial Commons, various education and civic groups, the Burke County Library and the History Museum of Burke County.

We invite everyone to be a part of this exploration. You can learn more and support our mission at ExploringJoara.org.

* The Living History Village at Catawba Meadows is currently closed due to damage experienced during hurricane Helen in 2024.

Pictured are Nick Stepanek (MFG), Rob Hooks, Guido Sampaolo and Mike Carpenter.

North Carolina Archaeological Society meeting in Halifax, NC this Saturday. Revolutionary War history plus Archaeology =...
10/01/2026

North Carolina Archaeological Society meeting in Halifax, NC this Saturday. Revolutionary War history plus Archaeology = win/win. I am going.

Archaeology Month in North Carolina!
10/01/2026

Archaeology Month in North Carolina!

The weather was great for the first Fall Dig Day yesterday. We had a fun and energetic group of volunteers and EJF staff...
09/27/2026

The weather was great for the first Fall Dig Day yesterday. We had a fun and energetic group of volunteers and EJF staff!

09/26/2026
Two slots just opened up for the Public Dig Day this Saturday 9/26. Register on the website - ExploringJoara.org First c...
09/24/2026

Two slots just opened up for the Public Dig Day this Saturday 9/26. Register on the website - ExploringJoara.org First come, first served.

Discovering Our Past Since 2008, the Exploring Joara Foundation, EJF, has invited the public, young and old, from near and far, to be a part of discovering our nation’s past. We have been a visible […]

09/17/2026
7 letters - how quickly can you solve this archaeology themed puzzle?You're invited to play a puzzle created by EJF.
09/01/2026

7 letters - how quickly can you solve this archaeology themed puzzle?

You're invited to play a puzzle created by EJF.

Choose a word for friends to guess, then share your own puzzle.

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PO Box 296
Morganton, NC
28680

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