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

Hip Hop FinFest Vol. 5

By . Hip Hop FinFest livestreams its youth song competition and community concert from Abrons…

2 days ago

NY Rangers Game 8 Open Thread: Rangers vs Tampa

The Rangers rebounded nicely against Vancouver on Sunday night after losing Igor Shesterkin for the…

2 days ago

Starknet Launches Shadow Accounts for DeFi Wallet Privacy

Ethereum layer-2 network Starknet has launched a wallet privacy feature that lets users interact with…

2 days ago

Nine images capturing 100 years of Bel-Air

From a 'gentlemen's haven' to film-star refuge and high-end, low-profile enclave Source link

2 days ago

Michael Woodford, Nobel Laureate – Marginal REVOLUTION

I think of Michael Woodford as the kind of economist who studies something very specific…

2 days ago

Titan Mattress Teacher Discount: Our Deal of the Day

The school day might end when the final bell rings, but lesson planning, grading, and…

2 days ago