Experts are currently examining and eliminating an abnormal growth discovered within a historic bronze cannon from the Battle of the Alamo.

A mysterious substance has been discovered inside an 18th-century bronze cannon that saw action during the Battle of the Alamo. A dedicated team of experts, led by specialists from Texas A&M University’s anthropology department, has been working tirelessly to extract and analyze the material as part of a preservation project.

The team suspected that the chalky, white residue on the weapon might be remnants of chemicals from past conservation efforts. This unusual occurrence had only recently appeared on the artifact. To address the issue, they applied a specialized acid solution to the historically significant piece to remove the residue effectively.

Kimberly Breyfogle, a Ph.D. student in the Texas A&M Nautical Archaeology Program, remarked, “This cannon is truly fascinating. It has a rich and compelling history, particularly within the context of Texas history.”

The cannon is now displayed at the Alamo Museum, a historic site originally founded as a Spanish mission and fortress in the 18th century. This landmark, situated in modern-day San Antonio, Texas, was established by Roman Catholic missionaries.

Breyfogle explains that the Alamo was originally established as a mission in the 1700s during Spanish colonial rule. Its primary goal was to convert local Native Americans to Christianity. Once its mission activities ceased, the Alamo transitioned to serve medical and military functions.

One of the most renowned historical events in Texas is the Battle of the Alamo, which occurred from February 23 to March 6, 1836. This pivotal battle unfolded during the Texas Revolution, a conflict that lasted from 1835 to 1836. The revolution was a struggle by U.S. colonists and Tejanos (Hispanic Texans) to gain independence from Mexican rule.

Although Mexican troops emerged victorious in the Battle of the Alamo, the subsequent revolution resulted in Texas seceding from Mexico and establishing the Republic of Texas in 1836. This independent republic was later annexed by the United States in 1845.

The exact origin of the cannon remains uncertain. Historical research indicates that it was probably manufactured in the 1760s in present-day Mexico. It was later transported to Los Adaes, which was the capital of Spanish Texas at the time and is now part of Louisiana. The cannon saw action in several significant battles during its service.

Beyond its association with the Alamo, this cannon is believed to have played a role in the Battle of Medina in 1813, a significant conflict during the Mexican War of Independence (1810–1821). This war pitted the Spanish colonial forces against the Mexican people. Additionally, the cannon was involved in the Battle of Concepción in 1835, recognized as the first major engagement of the Texas Revolution.

Damage to the cannon is evident, with several components notably missing, including the trunnions and cascabels.

Following its defeat at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, the Mexican Army destroyed and buried its cannons to prevent their capture by the Texan forces. The cannon covered in a white, chalky substance is probably one of these discarded weapons.

If the substance had not been addressed, it could have caused irreversible damage to the artifact.

The team dedicated approximately 18 months to investigating the cause of the substance’s growth and devising effective removal strategies.

 

 

“According to Christopher Dostal, an assistant professor of anthropology at Texas A&M University, the appearance of this substance may be linked to the chemicals used in the cannon’s preservation processes conducted in 2008 and 2019. ‘The substance seems to be a residue from these chemicals that is now forming on the cannon’s exterior,’ Dostal explained.”

To find a safe method for substance removal, Dostal and his team crafted small bronze ingots and treated them with comparable chemicals. They then carried out a series of tests to identify the most effective removal technique.

They found that using a formic acid solution effectively eliminated the substance without harming the cannon.

They utilized a tennis ball attached to a stick to apply the cleaning solution. This method will be repeated as necessary to ensure the complete removal of any residue.

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