Independent researchers in Arizona have made a significant archaeological discovery: the unearthing of a bronze cannon linked to the 16th-century Vázquez de Coronado expedition. This find is notable for being the oldest firearm ever discovered in the continental United States, offering a rare glimpse into the artillery used by Spanish explorers in the American Southwest during their ill-fated quest for wealth and territory.
The discovery of the cannon sheds light on the military technology employed by the Spanish during the Coronado expedition, which took place between 1539 and 1542. The expedition was prompted by tantalizing reports of wealthy cities north of Mexico, particularly the mythical Seven Cities of Cíbola, which Fray Marcos de Niza had described in his accounts. The Viceroy of New Spain, Antonio de Mendoza, organized the ambitious expedition, placing it under the command of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, a nobleman who borrowed heavily, even mortgaging his wife’s possessions, to fund the venture.
Coronado’s force of approximately 150 mounted soldiers, 200 infantrymen, and hundreds of native recruits ventured into the American Southwest in search of riches and land. However, their efforts were largely in vain. Instead of the fabled golden cities, Coronado and his men encountered only small Pueblo communities with modest resources. The expedition spent most of its time looting blankets and pottery before eventually turning back after reaching the Great Plains of Kansas.
The cannon was found at an excavation site in the Santa Cruz Valley of Arizona, which the research team has linked to the Coronado expedition. In their study, titled “Coronado’s Cannon: A 1539–42 Coronado Expedition Cannon Discovered in Arizona,” published in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology, the team details their findings. Radiocarbon dating and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques have confirmed that the structure in which the cannon was found dates back to the Coronado era. Along with the cannon, the team unearthed several other artifacts, such as European pottery, olive jar sherds, glass shards, and weapon parts—all of which align with the materials used during the expedition.
The cannon itself, sometimes referred to as a “wall gun,” is an early type of firearm that required two operators to function effectively. Designed primarily for use along fortifications or in sieges, it would have been used by the expedition as an offensive weapon to breach the wooden or light adobe walls of the dwellings in the cities they encountered. Measuring 42 inches in length and weighing approximately 40 pounds, this type of cannon would typically have been mounted on a large wooden tripod for stability. The cannon’s sand-cast construction is evident from the three sprue marks along the bottom axis and the four iron pins used during casting. The unadorned design of the cannon suggests it may have been cast in Mexico or the Caribbean, as Spanish cannons were often more decorative in design.
Interestingly, the cannon shows no signs of having been used in battle and was found unloaded. This raises questions as to why it was abandoned. Some historical accounts suggest that the local Sobaipuri O’odham people, who inhabited the area, attacked the Spanish settlement. This conflict would have led the Spaniards to retreat, potentially leaving behind valuable equipment like the cannon. The site contains clusters of lead shot and distinctive Sobaipuri arrowheads, supporting the idea that there was a confrontation between the Spanish and the local Native Americans.
This cannon is the first known firearm associated with the Coronado expedition, making it a crucial find for understanding early Spanish military presence in the American Southwest. The discovery provides valuable insights into the weaponry and fortifications used by the Spanish explorers, as well as early interactions between the Spanish and Native American groups. It also highlights the logistical challenges faced by Coronado’s expedition, as they carried heavy artillery in a difficult and unfamiliar landscape, only to be thwarted by a lack of resources and the hostility of indigenous groups.
Further research is planned to explore the exact origins of the cannon and to analyze other artifacts found at the site. These additional studies could reveal more about the construction of the cannon, its potential links to other Spanish expeditions, and the broader context of Spanish exploration in North America. For now, this discovery stands as a rare and important piece of history, providing a tangible connection to one of the earliest European attempts to conquer and explore the vast lands of the American Southwest.