American researchers have found a bronze cannon in Arizona, which turned out to be the oldest firearm in the continental United States. This is reported by Popular Science, writes UNN.
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Scientists believe that the oldest firearm found previously belonged to the infamous conquistador Vazquez de Coronado. In 1539, a Spaniard mortgaged his wife's property to finance an expedition to North America.
It is noted that together with 350 soldiers, the conquistador tried to find the legendary, supposedly fabulously rich seven Golden cities that did not really exist. Instead of searching for wealth, Coronado and his men plundered for three years, enslaving and killing the local indigenous population of the region.
During the study of the ruins of a stone structure in the Santa Cruz Valley, scientists found a bronze cannon, as well as an olive jar, broken glass, European pottery and parts of weapons. The bronze cannon weighed more than 18 kilograms. The product was intended for defense, usually it was installed on a wooden base on fortification walls. Due to the impressive size of the gun, it could be used with the participation of two soldiers.
Scientists also found that the" wall gun " had a conventional casting, in contrast to the more refined guns of Spanish production. This feature indicates that the weapon was designed in Mexico or the Caribbean.