Archaeologist from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), discovered a 200-year-old cannon, changing the history of Fort Cornwallis

Archaeologists and historians from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) found two detachable cannons believed to be about 200 years old, in an excavation at the archaeological site of Fort Cornwallis here yesterday.

Prof Datuk Dr Mokhtar Saidin, Director of the Center for Archeology of USM, said the latest discovery could change the original history of Fort Cornwallis, which was once known as the City of Peace.

"Both cannons with a GR symbol, these cannons are likely to be used in the King George III era and it is also the same kind we see in the Flag Hill. "However, based on the original Fort Cornwallis map in 1877, he did not immediately tell about the existence and position of the detachable cannons.

"Hence, it raised questions about the real role of this fort, better known as the City of Peace," he said when met here, today. The cannon, measuring 2.35 meters and 2.2 meters each, found four archeologists with seven assistants, at about 2pm yesterday, at an archaeological site of over 0.4 hectares.

Commenting further, Dr Mokhtar said the team originally performed archaeological work to detect the original Fort Cornwallis, believed to have more historic artifacts. He said archaeological works that began in August last year however have yet to find the historic door.