Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca

Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer and conquistador in the 16th century. After surviving a shipwreck in 1528, he spent nearly a decade wandering through what is now the southern United States and northern Mexico. His experiences included encounters with Native American tribes and living among them for years. Cabeza de Vaca's writings provide valuable insights into indigenous cultures and the challenges of exploration. His journey transformed him into a unique figure advocating for better treatment of Native peoples, contrasting with many of his contemporaries who sought conquest and wealth.