When Were Cannons First Used In Warfare?

Cannon

The first guns were cannons.  They were first used in warfare some time in the first half of the 14^th century.

The big guns that are now known as artillery were once called cannons.  “Cannon” comes from an old Latin word meaning “tube” or “reed.”

The cannon first appeared in Europe during the 1300s, after the knowledge of gunpowder spread.

These early guns were very primitive.  They were simply big iron tubes closed at one end.

In the back end was a small hole called a touchhole.  To fire the cannon, gunpowder was stuffed down the barrel.   Then a rock of iron ball, called a cannonball, was put in front of the powder.

A lighted match or torch was stuck through the touchhole to make the powder explode.

The early cannon was too crude to have much value in the battlefield.  For one thing, it look a long time to load it.  Besides, it was too heavy to move easily and it was difficult to aim—but it could destroy gates and walls of fortresses if it scored a direct hit.–Dick Rogers

How did the Indian make his flint arrowheads?

Flint Arrowhead

Holding the flint in his hand, the arrow-maker chipped off small flakes with a bone chipping tool until the flint took the shape that he wanted it to have.

The American Indian fashioned arrowheads of stone for use in hunting and warfare.

Flint was valued because it is no hard that it chips in smooth, curved flakes.  But other stones, such as quartz and obsidian, as well as bone were used to make arrowheads.

To make a flint arrowhead, the arrow-maker selected a piece of flint the size he needed.  With a piece of leather to protect his hand, he grasped the flint tightly between the palm and fingertips of one hand.

Using a chipping tool made from bone or antler, he pressed sharply against the edge of the flint.  This caused a small flake to chip off.  He continued to chip until the flint took the shapes that he wanted it to have.

He then bound the arrowhead to the wooden shaft with thongs or leather or sinew.  Feathers were then fixed to the other and of the shaft to make the arrow fly straight. – Dick Rogers