500-Year-Old Cannon Unearthed in Arizona, Tied to Coronado Expedition

Researchers in Arizona have unearthed a bronze cannon believed to be the oldest known firearm in the continental U.S., dating back to the 16th-century expedition of Spanish conquistador Vázquez de Coronado. The cannon, found in the Santa Cruz Valley, was likely used for offensive purposes during Coronado's quest for the mythical Seven Cities of Gold. The discovery, along with other artifacts, provides insight into the violent history of Coronado's expedition and its impact on Indigenous communities.