VERACRUZ.- History is literally being unearthed in Veracruz, as two centuries-old iron cannons have been discovered during a recent city renovation project. The cannons, which had been buried for generations, are now offering a tangible link to the city's storied past and its role in four heroic moments in Mexican history.

The discovery was made by specialists from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) during public works to update Veracruz's water, electrical, and communication infrastructure. According to INAH researcher Judith Hernández Aranda, the cannons are the first complete pieces of artillery to be found in the city’s subsoil.

The first cannon, discovered on June 12, measures just over 2 meters long and weighs 750 kilograms. It's believed to be a "6-pounder" originally used on a ship, later adapted for land defense. The second, a larger and heavier "12-pounder," was found on July 25. Its bore is still plugged, but its impressive 2.82-meter length and 1.3-ton weight speak to its power.

The cannons were found buried close to each other, a detail that the archaeologist says points to a specific historical event. The location corresponds to the path leading to the "Gate of Mexico," one of the main land entrances to the old walled city. This was a critical point for fortification during foreign invasions.

Due to heavy rust and sand buildup, it's impossible to see manufacturer's marks. However, their design suggests they were in use between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This leads to a fascinating theory: they may have been used in the defense of Veracruz during the wars against France in 1838 and the United States in 1847.

Hernández Aranda explained that after battles, damaged cannons were often too heavy to move and were repurposed. "Large pieces of artillery had a second use," she said, "as bollards at street corners to tie up horses or prevent carriages from hitting houses."

At some point in the late 19th century, during a period of urban renewal, it seems the city simply chose to bury them rather than move them. They were covered with dirt and paved over, becoming forgotten foundations of the modern city.

The cannons have now been carefully moved to INAH facilities for protection. The smaller one is at the Casa Canal, and the larger one, which required a crane, is at the Old San Carlos Hospital. They've been covered with protective fabric to shield them from the elements as they await a restoration project.

These two iron giants, once powerful defenders of the city and later humble street bollards, are now silent witnesses to Veracruz's deep and dramatic history, offering a rare glimpse into the city's past, one layer at a time.