The Maya became known to the outside world on Columbus' last voyage in 1502. Then in 1517, after being blown off coarse in a storm Francisco Hernandez de Cordova discovered the Maya on the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. Weeks later the survivors of the expedition would arrive in Cuba barely alive. They told tales of incredible cities and savage battles against Mayan soldiers. They brought with them gold and copper looted from the Mayan temples. The poor grade gold excited the Spanish who set out on an expedition led by Juan de Grijalva. It was the Mayans who told Grijalva about the Aztecs and their riches. It was Grijalva's revelations about the Aztecs that lured Hernan Cortez to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan.