e for the pig’s death was between 1831 and 1889. This timeframe is after the Seminole were pushed out of the Tallahassee area, which suggests that the pig may have been associated with early territorial settlers. Regardless of its specific year, dating shows that the pig could not have been associated with the Soto expedition. The pig more likely was associated with either Seminole or early territorial settlers in Tallahassee.
As scientists, archaeologists are committed to questioning past interpretations and being willing to change what they think is known based on new observations. This dating of the pig remains shows how archaeologists use new techniques to reanalyze earlier findings. Although the pig remains at the Governor Martin House site were not from Soto’s expedition, other lines of evidence continue to support the presence of the conquistador at the site. Archaeological arguments are proven with independent lines of evidence. The discovery of crossbow bolts, mail armor, early 16th century coins, 7 layer chevron beads, and early variety olive jars proves the presence of early 16th century Spaniards at the site. Along with corroboration from historical records, pig or no pig, these artifacts support the presence of Soto’s expedition at the Governor Martin House property.