From The Times Online
The barrel of the cannon had been plugged with a tampion of wood and sealed with candle wax by sailors more than 400 years ago.
The stale air of another age whistled out with a hiss when the seal was broken finally last week. Archaeologists gathered around the weapon could smell the gunpowder and hydrogen sulphide as it escaped.
The cannon is one of a set that comprises the first archaeological evidence of a revolution in weaponry that took place during the reign of Elizabeth I
This is wonderful stuff!
I will have to keep watching and see what happens…thank you for this site, going to read more as I have time.
Liz
Yes, I like the part where the historians in attendance scampered for cover, like something out of “Indiana Jones.”