Oldest Dugout Canoe Found in Great Lakes Region Unearthed in Wisconsin Lake

Wisconsin officials recently announced the discovery of a trove of ancient canoes in an underwater “parking lot” of sorts, including one that predates the Pyramids of Giza. The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) revealed that 14 canoes have been identified in Madison’s Lake Mendota, with six of them found this spring. Working closely with the First Nations of Wisconsin, WHS experts have made significant finds, including a 1,200-year-old dugout canoe in 2021 and a 3,000-year-old one in 2022. The oldest canoe dates back 5,200 years, while the most recent one hails from the 1300s A.D. These vessels were essential for fishing, travel, and trade purposes, according to WHS. WHS maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen explained that the canoes were preserved under Lake Mendota for thousands of years, remaining buried and well-preserved. Thomsen further added that the 14 remaining canoes underwater will not be retrieved at present, but two already retrieved will feature in a museum display at the Wisconsin History Center in 2027.