In a groundbreaking historical find, researchers in Southern Arizona have unearthed what is believed to be the oldest firearm ever found on the continental United States.
The discovery, a 480-year-old bronze wall gun, is linked to the 1539-1542 expedition of Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, Fox News reported.
Excavators uncovered the wall gun at the site known as San Geronimo III, a location along the Santa Cruz River. Researchers initially found this significant artifact in the fall of 2020, lying on the floor of a Spanish stone and adobe structure, buried beneath layers of history and silt. Dr. Deni J. Seymour and her colleagues believe that artisans cast the firearm in either Mexico or the Caribbean during the mid-16th century and used it to defend Spanish fortifications.
The firearm’s origin dates back to the era of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, a Spanish conquistador known for leading one of the largest expeditions from Mexico to explore what is now the southwestern United States. This artifact is the first gun positively associated with this expedition, underscoring its significance in American and Spanish colonial history. Radiocarbon dating and optically stimulated luminescence techniques helped confirm the age of the wall gun, matching it to the period of Coronado's expedition.
In addition, this bronze cannon or wall gun, measured at 42 inches in length and weighing about 40 pounds, was designed for simplicity and functionality. It could launch lead balls over 700 yards, a feature essential for the protection of the encampments against potential threats. However, it was found unloaded and without signs of ever having been fired.
The site where the wall gun was found also revealed other artifacts,
including broken pieces of swords, daggers, and domestic items such as fishhooks, clothing fasteners, and fragments of copper vessels. These findings paint a vivid picture of the life and sudden turmoil experienced by the settlers at San Geronimo III.
According to the researchers, the settlement was likely abandoned swiftly following an attack, as indicated by the historical context and the discovery of the gun. It appears the firearm was left behind during the hasty evacuation and remained encased in the ruins of the eroded adobe-and-rock structure.
The detailed findings were published in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology on November 21, 2024. Specifically, the publication highlights the wall gun’s role and technological features, emphasizing its significance not just as a military tool but also as a historical artifact that offers insights into the technological advancements of the time.
Dr. Seymour stated, "This wall gun is the first gun known to be associated with the Coronado expedition and is the oldest firearm ever found within the continental USA, and perhaps the oldest cannon currently known on the continent." Undoubtedly, this declaration underscores the magnitude of the discovery and its potential to reshape certain narratives regarding early Spanish expeditions in North America.
Through such discoveries, historians and researchers can piece together the fragmented stories of early settlers and explorers who ventured into what was then a new and uncharted territory. In addition, each artifact recovered provides a deeper understanding of the challenges and lives of those who shaped early American history. Therefore, this wall gun, now considered a crucial piece of the past, offers a tangible connection to the men and women who were part of the Coronado expedition over four centuries ago.
