Arizona archaeologist says she's found artifacts linked to famed 1540 expedition: "A history-changing site"

A Tucson archaeologist has unveiled a discovery in Santa Cruz County that she thinks could rewrite the history of the Coronado Expedition. Deni Seymour said she has unearthed hundreds of artifacts linked to the 16th century Spanish expedition, including pieces of iron and copper crossbow bolts, distinctive caret-headed nails, a medieval horseshoe and spur, a sword point and bits of chain mail armor.

The "trophy artifact" is a bronze wall gun - more than 3 feet long and weighing roughly 40 pounds - found sitting on the floor of a structure that she said could be proof of the oldest European settlement in the continental United States.

"This is a history-changing site," said Seymour, who touts herself as the Sherlock Holmes of history. "It's unquestionably Coronado."