Researchers in Arizona have discovered the oldest gun ever found in the continental United States, a bronze cannon associated with the first European expedition of the Southwest. The weapon was found in a Spanish building in southern Arizona near the Santa Cruz River and is believed to have been abandoned during an attack by the indigenous Sobaipuri O’odham people. The gun, which dates back to the mid-to-late 1400s, was never fired and was left behind by the Spanish as they were surprised and defeated during the attack. This event led to the Spanish staying out of southern Arizona for 150 years.
The cannon was excavated alongside thousands of other artifacts, including arrowheads, lead bullets, and weapon parts, providing evidence of the battle that occurred at the site. The gun was designed to be mounted on fortification walls and was versatile and highly portable, making it ideal for the expedition led by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in 1540. The cannon, along with a second one recently discovered, will be further analyzed in future research.
The discovery of the gun sheds new light on the historical significance of Native American uprisings in the region and challenges previous beliefs about the role of the O’odham people in early conquest episodes. This finding suggests that the O’odham were a significant force in pushing the Spanish out of the region for over a century. The researchers plan to continue studying the artifacts to further understand the impact of this historic event on the settlement of the Southwest.
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