On October 12, 1492 around 2am Christopher Columbus made the first historic sighting of land in the new world. This discovery was by accident.

The sight of his historical land fall was given the name of San Salvador by Christopher Columbus after Christ the Savior. As we will see the name for the Island its status as the island and of discovery have changed over time.

Many islands have claimed to be the "Island of Discovery". However San Salvador is the only island where artifacts from his first visit to the new world are found.

In a letter to the King and Queen of Spain Columbus wrote: I have decided upon writing you this letter to acquaint you with all the events which have occurred in my voyage, and the discoveries which have resulted from it. Thirty-three days after my departure from Cadiz(n1) I reached the Indian sea, where I discovered many islands, thickly peopled, of which I took possession without resistance in the name of our most illustrious Monarch, by public proclamation and with unfurled banners. To the first of these islands, which is called by the Indians Guanahani, I gave the name of the blessed Saviour (San Salvador). San Salvador, and the Long Bay settlement also match the description of the island recorded in Columbus's log books.

Many Islands claim to be the Island of Discovery . However, San Salvador is the only Island where artifacts from his first voyage to the new world were found.

The native people who lived on the island at the time of Columbus' landfall were the Lucayan people.

They came to the island around 800 and 1,000 AD.

The Native Lucayans called San Salvador Guanahani.

Within 50 years of Columbus' arrival on San Salvador the Lucayan population was gone due to European disease and slavery.

Archaeological evidence indicates the Lucayan traders may have traveled great distances for trade.

The picture to the right is of beads that were found as part of a field study.