11. Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish explorer born around 1490, was treasurer of Pánfilo de Narváez’s 1527 expedition to Florida. After a shipwreck, he and three companions survived eight years traversing the American Southwest, including present-day Texas and Mexico. During this time, Cabeza de Vaca lived among various Native American tribes, adopting roles as a trader and healer, and documenting his experiences in “La Relación.” His account offers a unique perspective on indigenous cultures, contrasting with the often aggressive approaches of other conquistadors. (britannica.com)
