PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. (AP) – Archaeologists have found the location of a long-sought Spanish fort on the South Carolina coast near Beaufort.

A release from the University of South Carolina says the site of San Marcos, one of five forts that operated during the 21-year history of the early settlement of Santa Elena, has been found on Parris Island.

University of South Carolina archaeologist Chester DePratter and Victor Thompson of the Center for Archaeological Sciences at the University of Georgia, have conducted research for the past two years to find the site of the 1577 fort.

The researchers used ground-penetrating radar and other high-tech equipment last month to find the site. They are publishing details this week in The Journal of Archaeology Science Reports.

The site of Santa Elena was located back in 1979.