National parks: HOSP_156_DeSotoHalberd_1530s - public domain image, Hot Springs Arkansas

Halberd, Spanish, supposed artifact of DeSoto expedition through Arkansas; iron head, wooden handle banded in iron; head has spear-like point on end (with broken tip), small ax blade on one side, curved hook on opposite side; accompanied by image of John Fordyce drawing of original, sent to HOSP by Dr. Anne Early, Arkansas State Archeologist, in October 2011 (original drawing in archives at University of Arkansas - Fayetteville). Curator's Notes from 8/7/2014 and 10/15/2014: Halberd has been examined by Dr. Jeffrey Michem of AAS and determined likely to be an actual weapon from the DeSoto expedition and Spanish in origin.