Archaeologists in Arizona have made a groundbreaking discovery—a 500-year-old bronze cannon linked to Francisco Vázquez de Coronado’s expedition, marking it as the oldest known firearm in the continental United States.
The artifact, a sand-cast bronze “wall gun,” was uncovered at the ruins of San Geronimo III, a Spanish settlement in the Santa Cruz Valley.
The cannon, weighing 40 pounds and stretching 42 inches long, was likely privately owned (sorry, Joe, you were wrong on cannons, again) and used for offensive or defensive purposes during Coronado’s 16th-century journey in search of the mythical Seven Cities of Gold. While the cannon could deliver devastating blows with lead projectiles or buckshot, evidence suggests it was never fired, as researchers found no traces of black powder residue.
A Relic of a Violent Expedition
Coronado’s expedition (1539–1542) ventured northward from Mexico with hundreds of Spanish soldiers and Indigenous allies, seeking untold riches. Instead of gold, the explorers encountered Indigenous settlements, leading to violent conflicts such as the Tiguex War. The expedition’s path left destruction in its wake, with the settlement of San Geronimo III serving as a temporary base before being abandoned following an attack by the Sobaipuri O’odham people.
This uprising was one of the first major Native American resistances against European colonization. It forced the Spanish to retreat and delayed their return to the region by over 150 years.
Cannon’s Historical Significance
The cannon was found on the floor of a Spanish adobe structure, surrounded by artifacts like European pottery and olive jar fragments, which corroborated its connection to Coronado’s expedition. Analysis revealed that the cannon’s plain design differed from traditional Spanish firearms, suggesting it was cast in Mexico or the Caribbean, possibly repurposed from earlier expeditions.
Deni Seymour, the lead archaeologist, noted that the cannon’s discovery reshapes firearm history in the Americas, pushing back the timeline of gun use by centuries.
“This is undoubtedly the earliest surviving firearm in the U.S. and one of the earliest in the New World,” Seymour explained.
The Sobaipuri O’odham attack that led to the cannon’s abandonment represents a pivotal moment in history. This battle is considered the earliest documented successful Native American uprising in the continental U.S., a stark reminder of the Indigenous resistance to colonization.
The discovery of the bronze cannon sheds light on the technological and cultural exchanges—and clashes—of the era. It underscores the enduring role of firearms in shaping human history, both as tools of power and as silent witnesses to pivotal moments.
This ancient cannon, now an archaeological treasure, connects us to a time when exploration, conflict, and innovation forged the complex tapestry of early America.
Joe Biden Seems to Hate Cannons as Much as He Hates the Truth
Pretty cool
Nice article, enjoyed the read.
Interesting article.
When I’ve read of Oregon Trail wagon trains having to stop because of great herds of buffalo, it makes you wonder how many buffalo were roaming around in 1540, and grizzly bears and elk.
That would have been a sight to see!
I wonder what they’ll do with it? Bury it in the basement of some university or actually put it in a museum (preferably non-woke) so people can see it?