200-year old cannon and mortar found at Fort Cornwallis

200-year old cannon and mortar found at Fort Cornwallis

The discovery was made during excavation works on Jan 25.

Penang CM Chow Kon Yeow with researchers pose with the cannon and mortar excavated from Fort Cornwalis. (Bernama pic)
GEORGE TOWN:
A cannon and mortar were found during excavation works on Friday in the outer structure surrounding Fort Cornwallis here, an 18th century fort built by the British East India Company.

An archeologist said excavation works at the site involving 12 researchers found one cannon and a mortar, both 200 years old.

Mokhtar Saidin, who heads Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Global Archeological Research, said the cannon and mortar would be sent for further restoration and analysis.

He said Fort Cornwallis had over 100 cannons and about 10 mortars were still embedded underground.

Last year, Mokhtar said two cannons were discovered near the old fort.

“The excavation works that started at the end of last year will continue until November. The place is being cleared for a historical gallery,” he told reporters after meeting Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow here today.

USM was given a grant of RM49,000 from the Penang state government to carry out excavation works at the site approved by the National Heritage Department.

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