A remarkable discovery in southern Arizona has rewritten the history of firearms in the United States. Researchers unearthed a bronze cannon, believed to be associated with the conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado’s expedition, making it the oldest firearm ever discovered in the continental US. This significant find offers new insights into the early Spanish colonial era and the resistance they faced from Indigenous populations.
The cannon, identified as a wall gun, was found on the floor of a Spanish stone-and-adobe structure. Unlike a hand cannon, this type of artillery, measuring approximately 42 inches (1.07 meters) and weighing about 40 pounds (18 kilograms), would have required two people to operate and likely needed support from a tripod or other structure. The research team, whose findings were recently published in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology, dated the weapon to Coronado’s era (1539-1542) and speculated about the circumstances that led to its abandonment. The cannon’s surprisingly good condition raises questions about why such a valuable piece of military equipment was left behind.
Coronado’s expedition ventured into the heart of what is now the central United States, driven by myths of fabled, treasure-laden cities. Although these cities proved to be nonexistent, the expedition relentlessly pursued its goals, claiming land and enslaving Indigenous groups as it traversed the continent. This discovery adds another layer to the complex history of this period.
The wall gun as it was found, on the floor of a Spanish structure.The bronze cannon discovered in Arizona, believed to be from the Coronado expedition. Image Credit: International Journal of Historical Archaeology (2024)
“Until this cannon’s discovery, no firearms from the Coronado Expedition had been found,” explains Deni Seymour, an independent archaeologist and lead author of the study, in communication with MaagX.com. “This makes it the oldest known firearm from this period in the US, and potentially the entire continental landmass.” The discovered wall gun represents the first firearm recovered from the Coronado expedition, which passed through Arizona between 1539 and 1542, eventually reaching as far inland as central Kansas.
The site where the cannon was found reveals a story of conflict. “Experts who have examined the site agree that it is linked to the Coronado expedition and provides evidence of a battle and a settlement,” Seymour added. “The cannon and the surrounding battle represent the earliest successful Native American uprising in the continental US, as the Spanish didn’t return to the area for another 150 years.”
The settlement, which was attacked by the local Sobaipuri O’odham, still contains substantial remnants of the conflict, including crossbow bolts, arrowheads, lead bullets, and weapon fragments. Researchers believe the battle likely occurred around 1541, dating the abandonment of the wall gun to approximately 483 years ago.
While the cannon’s design originates from the mid-to-late 1400s, making it somewhat outdated by the time of the expedition, its value suggests it wouldn’t have been abandoned lightly. The expedition’s lack of wagons or carts meant that all equipment was carried by people and animals, emphasizing the effort required to transport the cannon. Researchers theorize that the Spanish may have been forced to flee a sudden attack, leaving the heavy weapon behind.
Interestingly, another similar cannon was also discovered at the site. “We have a second cannon that appears to be from the same foundry,” Seymour revealed. “This second cannon was found on the battlefield itself and seems to have exploded during the fight.” The cannons’ relatively simple design suggests they were likely cast in Mexico or the Caribbean, rather than Spain, where more ornate weaponry was typical. If confirmed, this would make the wall gun the oldest extant firearm manufactured in the New World.
Further archaeological studies could shed more light on the prevalence of these cannons and the details of the Spanish retreat from the Sobaipuri O’odham. This discovery of the wall gun provides a valuable glimpse into the complex cultural clashes of the American Southwest during this pivotal period.
