Cabeza de Vaca (born as Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca between 1488 and 1490, died between 1557 and 1558) was a famous Spanish explorer who todays remains remembered for the records of his disastrous journey to the New World, loss of his entire expedition, fall in to slavery, exploration and eventual salvation and return to the Europe. Detailed accounts of his time in North America gave Europe first look at the life and structure of numerous Native American tribes that lived in the areas between Florida and Mexico City.
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was born between 1488 and 1490 as a son of Teresa Cabeza de Vaca y de Zurita, heiress of the Spanish Hidalgo family and member of nobility that was closely connected to the royalty. Little is known about his youth and education, but his name resurfaced only in 1527, when he was appointed to be treasurer of the famous Narváez expedition that had the goal to explore, find gold and settle on the New World land.
