Today, preserved cannonballs serve an educational role rather than a destructive one. Historians study them to learn about manufacturing techniques, trade networks, and battlefield practices, while museums use them to help visitors understand how wars were fought before modern weapons existed. As artifacts, they offer insight into engineering skills and the realities of conflict without glorifying violence.
For collectors and history enthusiasts, such objects carry meaning because of the stories attached to them, not their power. Caution is essential, however, as some historic military items may pose risks if they were never properly rendered inert. Professional evaluation is always advised. Ultimately, objects like cannonballs remind us why preserving history matters: they encourage curiosity, reflection, and a deeper understanding of how innovation and conflict have shaped the world we live in today.
