little is known of the pre-columbian history of the island, though a cave complex near the punta del este beach preserves 235 ancient drawings made by the native population. the island first became known to europeans during christopher columbus's third voyage to the new world in 1494. columbus named the island la evangelista and claimed it for spain; the island would also come to be known isla de cotorras ("isle of parrots") and isla de tesoros ("treasure island") at various points in its history.