<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> Archaeological evidence indicates 6,000 years of human habitation in the area . Pottery has been found dating to 2500 BC, nearly the oldest in the United States and second to artifacts of the Savannah River area . In the 16th century, the beginning of the historical record period, the area was inhabited by the Mocama, a coastal subgroup of the Timucua indigenous Native Americans . At the time of contact with Europeans, most Mocama villages in present - day Jacksonville were part of the powerful chiefdom known as the Saturiwa, centered on Fort George Island near the mouth of the St. Johns River . They had a complex society, well - adapted to the environmental conditions of the area . </P> <P> In 1513, Spanish explorers landed in Florida and claimed their discovery for Spain (see Spanish Florida). The first Europeans to visit the area were Spanish missionaries and explorers from this period . In February 1562, French naval officer Jean Ribault and a 150 settlers arrived seeking land for a safe haven for the French Huguenots, Protestants suffering religious persecution in France . Ribault explored the mouth of the St. Johns River before moving north and establishing the colony of Charlesfort on what is now Parris Island, South Carolina . Ribault returned to France for supplies, but tensions from French Wars of Religion had broken out during his absence . His return to Florida was delayed as a result . Without leadership or provisions, the colonists abandoned Charlesfort . In 1564 Ribault's former lieutenant, René Goulaine de Laudonnière, launched a new expedition to found a colony on the St. Johns River . On June 22, 1564, the settlers established Fort Caroline atop the St. Johns Bluff . </P> <P> Laudonnière made an alliance with the local tribe of Timucua Indians, the Saturiwa . He also forged friendly relations with their competitors, the Utina tribe, who lived upriver to the south (around what is now Palatka and the Lake George area). Ribault intended to resupply Fort Caroline in early 1565, but was again delayed . As a result, the colony faced famine, three mutinies, and eventually warfare with the Utina . Ribault finally reached the fort with a relief expedition in the summer, and assumed command of the settlement . In the meantime, the Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés had established the colony of St. Augustine 35 miles to the south, with the express mission to displace the French . </P>

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