USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -However, when conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado finally arrived at Cíbola in 1540, he discovered that the stories were unfounded and that there were, in fact, no treasures as the friar had described-only adobe towns.

Detailed explanation-2: -(female narrator) Francisco Vázquez de Coronado famously embarked on a two-year, 4, 000-mile exploration of the American Southwest, seeking fabled golden cities. Instead, he found buffalo herds, pueblos, tipis, and the Grand Canyon, becoming the first European to lay eyes on these symbols of American life.

Detailed explanation-3: -Instead of finding the legendary cities, though, Coronado encountered only Indian settlements-including the Zuni Pueblos, which originally had inspired the false legend-even though he explored as far north as modern Kansas.

Detailed explanation-4: -The tale of the seven cities of gold was a myth that was popularized in the 16th century. In the 16th century, Spaniards in modern day Mexico began hearing stories of golden cities across the desert, hundreds of miles north. Seven cities throughout New Mexico were said to contain vast amounts of gold and spoils.

Detailed explanation-5: -Coronado sent search parties to Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico but still never found the cities of Cibola. Nevertheless, his searches resulted in the discovery of the Grand Canyon as well as the acquisition of all lands he explored for Spain.