Construction Crew Unearths 300-Year-Old Cannon in East Yorkshire

A routine construction project in East Yorkshire has taken an unexpected turn after workers uncovered a 300-year-old cannon buried beneath the site.

The discovery was made in Kingston upon Hull during ongoing works, with the find quickly drawing attention from archaeologists and local officials.

A Rare and Unexpected Discovery

Following the discovery, specialists from Humber Field Archaeology examined the object, confirming it to be a cast-iron cannon dating back to the late 17th or early 18th century.

Measuring nearly nine feet in length and weighing over a tonne, the cannon is believed to have been deliberately decommissioned, with its nozzle sealed.

Despite working in an area known to contain dock backfill, archaeologists described the find as highly unusual.

From Weapon to Dockside Fixture

Initial analysis suggests the cannon had a second life long after its military use.

Experts believe it was likely repurposed as a mooring post during the 19th or early 20th century — a common practice at the time — before eventually being discarded during dock infill works in the 1930s.

One of Only a Few Finds in Decades

While historic discoveries occasionally emerge on construction sites, finds of this scale are rare.

According to archaeologists, this marks only the third cannon discovered in the area in the past 30 years, highlighting the unique nature of the find.

Construction Meets History

The discovery is a reminder of the unexpected role construction plays in uncovering the UK’s history.

From infrastructure upgrades to urban redevelopment, projects often reveal hidden artefacts that offer valuable insight into the past — turning everyday works into moments of historical significance.

What Happens Next?

The cannon will now undergo further analysis to determine:

• Its exact age

• Where it was manufactured

• Potential links to local cannon makers

For now, what started as a routine day on site has become a remarkable intersection of construction and history.