GEORGE TOWN: A group of archaeologists and historians from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) discovered two 200 years old cannons at the Fort Cornwallis archaeology site here yesterday.
USM archaeology centre director Prof Datuk Dr Mokhtar Saidin said this discovery might change the historical background of Fort Cornwallis which was known as Peaceful Fort (Kota Keamanan).
"Both the cannons were labelled with GR symbols believed to be used during the era of King George III and is similar to the one we discovered in Bukit Bendera.
"However, according to the original map of Fort Cornwallis in 1877, the existence of these cannons were not mentioned.
"This has raised questions about the actual function of the fort which was better known as (Kota Keamanan)," he said in a press conference today.
Also present were Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon and state secretary Datuk Seri Farizan Darus.
The cannons, sized 2.32 metres and 2.2 metres each, were found by four archaeologists together with their seven assistants about 2pm yesterday at the 0.4 hectare site.
Dr Moktar said that they were actually looking for the original door of Fort Cornwalis which was said to be rich in historical artefacts.
The archaeological works had begun since August last year but there had been no signs of the historical door yet.
"Last November, we found the cannon shell. Never did we expect to discover the two cannons.
"After this the cannons will be brought to USM to obtain further data and information," he added.