CNN —Archaeologists working in Arizona have discovered what appear to be the oldest firearms ever found in the continental United States: two cannons abandoned by a Spanish expeditionary force that was attacked by Native Americans. The 42-inch-long (107-centimeter) bronze cannons, also known as wall guns, were found by independent researcher Deni Seymour. Although these cannons would have been deadly, they were slow to load and reload, Seymour told CNN. “They were probably overwhelmed by the attacking force and likely were engaged in hand-to-hand combat from their bedsides,” she said. Next, Seymour hopes to find the rest of the trail traveled by Coronado’s expedition, and to document 12 known sites along the Arizona portion of the trail.

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Persons: Deni Seymour, Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, Seymour, San Geronimo III, ”, “, ” Seymour Organizations: CNN, International, Continental, Investigations Locations: Arizona, United States, Spanish, Mexico, American, Coronado, Mexican, Sonora