Study of bullets and buttons recovered from the current artificial lake San Roque (Punilla Valley, Córdoba, Argentina)

Abstract

This paper analyses a set of spherical bullets and buttons chronologically identified as belonging to the 19th century. They were recovered from the current San Roque lake (Punilla valley) and are part of the reservoir of the Achala Sacate Reserve and Laboratory, the NumbaCharava Museum, the Municipal Museum and Historical Archive, La Memoria de Icho Cruz and private collections. The type of context, the spaces where they were distributed, their association with other materials from that period, measurements and weight are analysed. It also describes whether the bullets have impact marks, the type of calibre and the probable weapons used. The objective in this first stage of research is to try to establish whether or not there is a link with the battle of San Roque (1829). The results show that the largest number of spherical bullets have a calibre with values ​​close to 13 mm in diameter, and due to their size of less than 16 mm, they may correspond to shrapnel canister bullets, although a second possibility that they belong to muzzle-loading weapons, pistols or both possibilities is not ruled out. It is also not ruled out that they were used in military manoeuvres, camps or other activity after the battle. In the case of the buttons associated with this type of bullets, mainly those that were found in greater quantity, whose characteristics correspond to semi-flat, smooth, three- and four-hole, grey-coloured buttons. Their chronology is varied, since their use is observed throughout much of the 19th century and it is difficult to determine precisely whether they correspond to the Battle of San Roque or a later time.