Archeologists in Arizona they found a bronze cannon 500 years old related to the expedition of Francisco Vázquez de Coronadobecoming the oldest firearm never found in the continental territory of USA.
The discovery, published in the International Journal of Historical Archaeologyhas generated great interest due to its historical relevance, since it sheds light on the early European presence in the southwestern United States and the interactions between Spanish colonizers and the indigenous communities locales.
He canonalso known as “wall cannon”, measures 1.6 meters long, weighs approximately 18 kilograms and was found at the archaeological site of the settlement Saint Geronimo IIIlocated in the Santa Cruz Valley. This temporary settlement was built by members of the Coronado expedition and abandoned after an attack by the Sobaipuri O’odhamand indigenous people who actively resisted the European occupation.
The Coronado expeditioncarried out between 1539 and 1542, was one of the first major European incursions into the current southwestern United States. Authorized by the viceroy Antonio de Mendozathe campaign aimed to find the mythical Seven Cities of Cibolawhich were believed to be rich in gold and other riches. Coronado led a contingent of 400 soldiers, more than 1,500 indigenous allies and numerous workers, traveling through what is now Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico y Kansas.
However, the golden cities They turned out to be humble communities puebloa discovery that led to the economic and political failure of the expedition. During their journey, the spanish They carried out looting and armed confrontations, such as Tiguex Warwhich resulted in the death and displacement of many inhabitants. Saint Geronimo III was established as a temporary base of operations for the expeditionbut its occupation was brief due to the violent attack of the Sobaipuri O’odham.
He canon found is a versatile piece of artillery, designed to be mounted on a wooden tripod. Despite its compact size, it was a powerful tool of war capable of firing lead projectiles or multiple ammunition with a range of up to 640 meters. This type of weapon was ideal for the defense of fortifications and to open gaps in wooden or adobe structures.
Unlike the European cannons typical of the time, which were usually decorated with ornamental motifs, this canon It has an austere design, suggesting that it was manufactured in the New Worldpossibly in Mexico or the Caribbeanwhere foundry processes were more practical and less elaborate.
A detailed analysis of the gun showed that it was never fired. According to the Daily Mail, los researchers They did not find residues of black powder nor signs of corrosion associated with frequent use. This detail reinforces the theory that the canon It was abandoned during the hasty retreat of the spanish after the attack of the Sobaipuri O’odham.
The discovery of canon in Saint Geronimo III is significant, since it is the first firearm identified from the Coronado expedition. Furthermore, its dating using techniques of radiocarbon y optical luminescence confirms that it belongs to the period from 1500 to 1520, shortly before the arrival of the expedition to the area.
Other artifacts associated with the Spanish presencelike fragments of european ceramicslead bullets, pieces of armor and remains of tools. They were also found indigenous arrowheadssuggesting a violent confrontation at the scene. According to the archaeologiststhese findings are evidence of the battle between the spanish and the Sobaipuri O’odhaman event that marked one of the first uprisings indigenous successful against European colonizers.
The attack of the Sobaipuri O’odham in Saint Geronimo III had significant consequences. According to the study, the assault, which probably occurred in the early morning, took the colonizerskilling several soldiers in their beds and forcing the rest to flee. This event led to the definitive abandonment of the settlement and delayed Spanish colonization of the region for more than 150 years.
Deni J. Seymourlead archaeologist of the study, highlighted the historical importance of the uprising: “This canon and the battle around him represent the uprising indigenous earliest and most significant in the continental territory of USA“, he quoted New York Post.
The study highlights that, under normal circumstances, a canon as this would have been considered too valuable to be abandoned. However, the chaotic circumstances of the attack and retreat spanish led to the weapon being buried in the ruins of an adobe building for almost five centuries.
