Revolutionary Discovery: The Oldest US Firearm Linked to Coronado's Legendary Expedition Uncovered in Arizona!

In a groundbreaking find, independent researchers in Arizona have unearthed a remarkable bronze cannon, making it the oldest known firearm discovered in the continental United States! This cannon, tied to the historical expedition of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, sheds new light on the artillery that accompanied European explorers during their quest for riches in the American Southwest between 1539 and 1542.

Historical Context

The 16th century was a time of fervent ambition for the Spanish, driven by tales of wealthy cities rumored to lie north of Mexico. These tales, intensified by the accounts of past conquistadors and the legendary Seven Cities of Cíbola as narrated by Fray Marcos de Niza, galvanized Spanish leaders, leading Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza to sponsor an ambitious expedition led by the daring explorer Coronado.

With aspirations of striking gold and claiming land, Coronado mortgaged his wife’s possessions to finance the journey. He embarked with a formidable entourage consisting of 150 mounted soldiers, 200 infantrymen, and numerous native recruits. However, the expedition would ultimately bring disappointment as the long-sought cities failed to materialize. Instead of fabled riches, they found only modest Pueblo communities, leading to looting of blankets and pottery before retreating upon reaching the vast Great Plains of Kansas.

The Discovery

The scholarly study titled “Coronado's Cannon: A 1539–42 Coronado Expedition Cannon Discovered in Arizona,” published in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology, detailed the cannon’s discovery at a site in the Santa Cruz Valley. Radiocarbon dating and advanced optically stimulated luminescence techniques confirmed its connection to the Coronado era. Excavations revealed various other artifacts from the era, including European pottery, shards from olive jars, glass fragments, and weapon remnants, enhancing our understanding of this historical period.

About the Cannon

Notably, the cannon—often referred to as a wall gun—was an early firearm that required a two-person operation. It was designed primarily for use along fortification walls, utilized by Coronado's forces as an offensive weapon to breach the walls of settlements they encountered. Measuring 42 inches in length and weighing around 40 pounds, it would have been mounted on a large wooden tripod.

The casting process of this skeletal cannon reveals it was sand-cast, indicating its likely origin from Mexico or the Caribbean, rather than the more ornate styles common in Spain. Intriguingly, scholars propose that it might have been acquired from a previous Spanish expedition, potentially from the formidable Ponce de León himself.

Legacy and Implications

The discovery raises provocative questions regarding its abandonment; the cannon was found unloaded and without signs of battle damage. Historical records suggest that the local Sobaipuri O'odham people might have attacked the Spanish settlement, leading to a hurried retreat, as indicated by clusters of lead shot and distinctive arrowheads found at the site.

This extraordinary discovery not only marks the first known firearm linked to the Coronado expedition but also offers invaluable insights into the early interactions between Spanish explorers and Native American communities in the Southwest. Further analyses are set to uncover more about this cannon's origins and the context of its discovery, promising to deepen our understanding of this pivotal era in American history.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for more riveting updates on this remarkable find!