Categories: HISTORY

Oldest US Firearm Found in Arizona and Tied to Coronado Expedition


A groundbreaking discovery in southern Arizona has unveiled the oldest known firearm in the continental United States. A bronze wall gun, dating to the Coronado expedition of 1539–1542, was excavated in the Santa Cruz Valley, at a site discovered several years ago. This rare find sheds light on the weaponry and interactions between Spanish explorers and Native American communities during the early years of European colonization in the American Southwest.

The firearm, identified as a medieval-style cannon, measures 42 inches (106.7 cm) in length, weighs approximately 40 pounds (18 kg), and has a bore diameter of .95 inches (24.7 mm), equivalent to a 5-gauge shotgun. Likely used to breach fortifications, this piece is emblematic of the expedition’s militarized approach to exploration, and is described in a study published in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology.



Source link

Mainedigitalnews.com

Share
Published by
Mainedigitalnews.com

Recent Posts

Trump’s sweeping new tariffs take effect against dozens of countries

Osmond ChiaBusiness reporter, BBC NewsGetty ImagesUS President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs on more than…

2 days ago

Twin Vee PowerCats Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

FORT PIERCE, Fla., August 7, 2025 (Newswire.com) - Twin Vee PowerCats Co. (Nasdaq:VEEE), ("Twin Vee"…

2 days ago

A Maximalist Show Needs a Collective Mindset

By Lianna Matt McLernon, Ankita Raturi. Fifty Boxes of Earth at Theater Mu was a…

2 days ago

7 Weekly Thoughts: Targeting the 2026 UFA class will be risky

Nick Wosika-Imagn ImagesNick Wosika-Imagn Images To view this content, you must be a member of…

2 days ago

BOB Uses Hybrid Chain Model to Bridge Ethereum and Bitcoin

Layer-2 blockchain network Build on Bitcoin (BOB) has raised $21 million in strategic funding rounds…

2 days ago

18 of the best TV shows of 2025 so far

Disney/ Brian Roedel14. ParadiseIt's difficult to discuss the power of this show without giving away…

2 days ago