Abstract

LEONI, Juan B.  and  TAMBURINI, Diana S.. “…swept by canister shot and pierced by cannonballs and rockets…” Analysis of artillery projectiles from Pavon battlefield, 1861. Rev. Mus. Antropol. [online]. 2020, vol.13, n.2, pp.93-104. ISSN 1852-060X.  http://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31048/1852.4826.v13.n2.25500.

Abstract In this paper we analyze an assemblage of artillery projectiles that were used in the battle of Pavón, fought on September 17, 1861, on fields close to the modern town of Rueda (Constitución Departament, Santa Fe Province). These projectiles are part of a private collection -Estancia Los Naranjos, property of the Rueda family- and of a museum collection -Historical and Railway Museum “Escribano Alfredo Rueda”. Even with the limitations posed by the condition in which several of these projectiles are (use as ornamental objects, lack of precise provenience information), we were able to record basic size and weight data. This information allowed us to relate the projectiles to specific artillery pieces used in the battle, although we were not able to ascribe them to any of the opposing armies, as both utilized similar armament. We also were able to determine that one of the artifacts is not an authentic projectile, as well as that a significant number of them seem to correspond to unexploded howitzer shells. The basic information thus obtained contributes to a more precise reconstruction of the development of this crucial and controversial episode of our national history.

Keywords : Conflict archaeology; Artillery; Projectiles; Pavón; Battlefield.

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