Evidence of the Spanish conquest of the Americas can be found throughout the region.
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This mystery is concerned with the Spanish Conquest of the Americas during the 15th and 16th centuries. After Columbus discovered America in 1492, the Spaniards and Portuguese expanded their empires in the New World, enslaving native populations, destroying their civilizations (the Aztecs and Incas among them) and forcing them to convert to Christianity.
Completing the mystery will unlock a bronze trophy of the same name "The Conquistadors".
| Item | Inventory description | Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Musket Pieces | By the sixteenth century the musket, or arquebus, had become a common weapon for many conquistadors. | "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" |
| Spanish Helmet | The regimantal insignia on this helmet is the Nueva Galicia coat of arms, proving the soldiers were Coronado's men. | "No Prison Tats" |
| 400 Year Old Skull | The lack of bludgeon marks proves that the Conquistadors were not killed by the Kuna, who used maces or clubs in warfare. | |
| Nueva Galicia Carving | Sixteenth-century graffiti, the Nueva Galicia insignia links this carving to the helmet found at the massacre. | "Nothing But Some Old Bones" |
| Woodcut of Coronado | In 1540, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado y Luján followed Marcos de Niza north to Cibola with an army of conquistadors - where he found nothing. History has always wondered why Marcos lied in his scouting report. | "Chamber of the Seven Fathers" |
| Chainmail Shirt | Modern images showing conquistadors wearing plate mail are wrong; most soldiers from this period could only afford outdated chainmail. | "Without a Paddle" |
| Spanish Horse Bit | Used to control horses in battle, a bit like this could crush a horse's jaw if heavily reined by a cruel soldier. | "Chew the Hide Off a Rhino" |
| Conquistador Spur | Heavy spurs like these were used to prod their mounts through the thick rainforest. This one measures 11 inches in length, with a 6.5 inch rowel. | "Keep Your Head Down" |
| Bridle Jingles | Hand forged jingles like these were designed to keep biting flies away from a horse's face. | "Ride of the Valkyries" |
| Barrote Style Nails | Along with disease and greed, the conquistadors brought metal working to the new world. This wrought-iron spike is typical of the type used for finishing work. | "Farther Than It Looks" |
| Spanish Halberd | The Spanish halberd, commonly used by conquistadors, was used by the Spanish Infantry in a tight formation called the "trio." | "Trapped Like Rats" |
| Albarello Fragments | In the sixteenth century, Caparra blue was used exclusively by the Spanish in their maiolica, or medicine jars. This is often used to prove that the Spanish had been to a given site. | "Doorway of the Gods" |
"After looking at all the evidence, there's no question Spanish explorers were here in this part of Central America long before we thought they were."
"I'll bet this was pretty... four hundred years ago. Chase might like it."
"Musket pieces... now there's a weapon I've never tried."
"Jingle bells... heh... jingle bells, you know, it kinda makes me wish it was snowing."
"A spur... Dante could one of these, too... and not because he owns a horse."
"I guess you could say the Conquistadors got nailed here... I know..."
"A halberd spike... time to turn in my .45 Defender and go all medieval..."
"What is it with people wanting to leave their mark everywhere they go?"
"Good ol' Coronado... what would the American southwest have been without you?"
"A horse bit... Dante could use one of these... and not because he owns a horse."