Construction workers in Kingston upon Hull, UK, recently discovered a 300-year-old cast-iron cannon during routine excavation work. The cannon, believed to date back to the late 17th or early 18th century, measures nearly nine feet in length and weighs over a ton. Archaeologists from Humber Field Archaeology examined the artifact and determined that it had likely been decommissioned and repurposed as a mooring post before being discarded into the dock area in the 1930s. The find was unexpected, as the archaeologists were anticipating typical domestic refuse from the 20th century, making this cannon one of only three significant cannon discoveries in the region in the past 30 years. Further analysis will be conducted to determine the cannon’s origin and maker.
Why It Matters
This discovery highlights the rich maritime history of Hull, a city known for its historical shipbuilding and cannon manufacturing. The cannon’s repurposing as a mooring post reflects practices common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when decommissioned military equipment was often discarded in docks. The find adds to the archaeological record of the area, which has previously yielded artifacts from significant historical periods, including a cannon from the time of Henry VIII and fragments from the English Civil War. Such discoveries contribute valuable insights into the historical uses of materials and the socio-economic practices of past communities.
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