I have done a bit of research into the Spaniards conquering of the Americas. I have a BA in Anthropology. Studied the King site a bit for one class. The King Site contains the
remains of Native Americans that appear to have been killed by the Spanish [not certain which group of spaniards though].
One of the things I noted was the distribution of wound patterns. Mainly long bones [ie arms and legs].
Nothing conclusive but I found it intersting that the limbs seemed to be a primary target.
Later I read the [translations] of the acounts of Pizarro's and Cortez's campaigns. I was surprised to learn that they had almost no guns with them. They were mainly armed with crossbows and swords [with bucklers and body I think]. Yet they defeated or at least drove off hundreds if not thousands of native americans that were armed about the same except stone based tech vs iron.
One of the conclusions I reached was that it was the Spaniards training & experiance as solders that gave them an edge. They were trained and practiced in fighting as a unit. From at least one account I read it seems clear that the swordmen formed a square or ring with the crossbows and couple of firearms in the center. And I assume the missle armed spanairds organized their fire somehow like modern infantry would.
Anyway I haven't found enough detailed information about Cortez, Pizzaro, or about the nuts and bolts of spanish fighting of the time period. So I figured I would post this thread and see what other might know or have to say. I figure Tamera and a few others have to know something about the tactics of this time period with their interest in Roman military history.
remains of Native Americans that appear to have been killed by the Spanish [not certain which group of spaniards though].
One of the things I noted was the distribution of wound patterns. Mainly long bones [ie arms and legs].
Nothing conclusive but I found it intersting that the limbs seemed to be a primary target.
Later I read the [translations] of the acounts of Pizarro's and Cortez's campaigns. I was surprised to learn that they had almost no guns with them. They were mainly armed with crossbows and swords [with bucklers and body I think]. Yet they defeated or at least drove off hundreds if not thousands of native americans that were armed about the same except stone based tech vs iron.
One of the conclusions I reached was that it was the Spaniards training & experiance as solders that gave them an edge. They were trained and practiced in fighting as a unit. From at least one account I read it seems clear that the swordmen formed a square or ring with the crossbows and couple of firearms in the center. And I assume the missle armed spanairds organized their fire somehow like modern infantry would.
Anyway I haven't found enough detailed information about Cortez, Pizzaro, or about the nuts and bolts of spanish fighting of the time period. So I figured I would post this thread and see what other might know or have to say. I figure Tamera and a few others have to know something about the tactics of this time period with their interest in Roman military history.