Fort San Juan was a Spanish fort built in the late 16th century in what is now North Carolina. It was part of the Spanish efforts to establish a foothold in the southeastern United States and protect their interests against other European powers. The fort was located near the Catawba River and served as a military outpost for Spanish explorers and settlers. The site of Fort San Juan is significant for its archaeological findings, which provide insights into early colonial life and interactions with Native American tribes. Excavations have revealed artifacts that illustrate the daily activities of the soldiers and the challenges they faced in this region, contributing to our understanding of Spanish colonial history in North America.