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Researchers Revealed the Discovery of the Oldest Weapon in the United States, a Historical Artifact of Nearly 500 Years, That Sheds Light on the First Colonizers and Indigenous People.
Researchers found a 480-year-old weapon in southern Arizona, considered the oldest weapon in the United States. It is a bronze cannon, known as “wall gun”, directly linked to the expedition led by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Vázquez de Coronado in the 16th century.
The Oldest Weapon in the USA
Between 1540 and 1542, Coronado led an epic mission in search of the mythical Seven Cities of Cibola, which he believed were filled with gold. His journey crossed vast regions of the American Southwest, including present-day Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
It is estimated that around 2,800 people participated in the expedition, including soldiers, indigenous allies, enslaved individuals, and other support members.
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This undertaking marked one of the first significant European incursions into American territory, although the golden cities were never found.
The Discovery of the Cannon
The wall gun was found at the archaeological site known as Suya or San Geronimo (III), in southern Arizona. Researchers believe it has remained at the site for nearly 480 years, protected by the ground of a ruined Spanish structure.
Deni Seymour, the lead author of the study on the find, highlighted the uniqueness of the discovery. “No firearm from the Coronado Expedition had been found until now. This makes it an unprecedented historical piece in the continental United States,” he stated in an interview with Gizmodo.
The analysis of the artifact revealed that it was produced in the mid to late 1400s, making it obsolete by the standards of the time of the expedition. Despite this, its portability and versatility made it ideal for the challenges faced by Coronado’s team.
Features of the Weapon
Weighing approximately 18 kilograms and about 1 meter long, the wall gun was compact and easy to transport. It could be mounted on various supports, such as tree forks, saddles, or tripods, quickly adapting to the group’s needs.
Researchers emphasized that this flexibility was crucial for the expedition. The cannon was used both to destroy barriers, such as wooden or adobe walls, and to repel enemies. Its powder charge could be adjusted for different types of targets, further increasing its utility.
Preservation and Mysteries of the Artifact
The condition of the weapon is considered remarkable. Minimal corrosion suggests that the specific conditions of the San Geronimo (III) archaeological site helped protect the artifact over the centuries.
Additionally, there is evidence that the cannon may have been manufactured in Mexico or the Caribbean rather than in Spain, adding a layer of mystery to the find. This detail may reveal more about the networks of production and distribution of weapons in the colonial era.
Historical Significance
Although Coronado’s expedition did not achieve its objectives of finding riches, the discovery of this wall gun provides valuable information about the early history of firearms in the Americas.
The journey faced numerous challenges, including conflicts with indigenous peoples and logistical difficulties. Upon returning to Mexico City in 1542, Coronado brought few concrete results, but his incursion left significant marks in the history of European exploration on the continent.
This cannon, now identified as the oldest in the country, is a tangible symbol of this period of great discoveries and conflicts. It not only reflects the military technology of the time but also the complexity of cultural and social interactions at the frontiers of the New World.
The discovery reinforces the importance of archaeological investigations in areas of historical relevance, allowing fragments of forgotten stories to come to light. As a unique piece, the wall gun offers a glimpse into the complex heritage left by the early European expeditions in the Americas.
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