TUCSON, Ariz — A remarkable discovery has been made in the Santa Cruz Valley, where archaeologists have unearthed the oldest known firearm found in the continental United States.
The artifact, a bronze cannon dating back to the 1540 Vasquez de Coronado expedition, offers a rare glimpse into the weaponry of the early Spanish explorers.
Professional archaeologist Deni Seymour made the find during a routine outing with a volunteer.
"One day when I was out there with one other volunteer, we were systematically detecting, and I found it within five minutes of starting," Seymour said.
The cannon was found on the floor of a Spanish stone and adobe structure in the Santa Cruz Valley. Known as a "wall gun," this type of cannon was designed for offensive operations, particularly for breaching wooden or light adobe walls. It required two operators to function, highlighting the level of coordination and firepower utilized during the expedition.
Seymour emphasized the importance of the discovery in understanding historical contexts and human behavior during the 16th century.
"It’s what the meaning of these artifacts in their larger setting mean for history and for our understanding of human behavior and understanding of this time period,” Seymour said.
For now, the artifact remains in secured storage. Public access to this piece of history will have to wait, but the discovery marks a significant milestone in American archaeology and history.
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