Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

1,000-Year-Old Dugout Canoe Discovered in Wisconsin Lake

A volunteer diver cleaning trash in Pewaukee Lake, Wisconsin, discovered a 1,000-year-old dugout canoe, believed to be the first found in that lake.

The vessel, handcrafted by Indigenous communities in the late 10th or early 11th century, measures 17.3 feet long and 1.8 feet wide. Radiocarbon dating confirmed its age, placing it in the Late Woodland Period.

The canoe was found by Mark Schachtner during a volunteer dive. He contacted maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen of the Wisconsin Historical Society, who confirmed its significance.

Experts are consulting with tribal historic preservation officers to understand the canoe's context. It is believed to have been intentionally placed along the ancient shoreline for later use.

Dugout canoes were essential, community-shared transportation. This canoe appears to have been hand-carved and shaped with fire, a labor-intensive process.

The canoe is in good condition, partially filled with sediment which may have aided preservation. It will remain submerged in the lake for optimal preservation, in accordance with the wishes of Indigenous nations.

The exact location is kept private, and state law prohibits removal or damage to the vessel. Experts suspect more such canoes may be waiting to be discovered in Wisconsin's lakes.

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