Indigenous and scientific partnership reveals a 5,200-year-old system of canoes, shedding light on ancient drought survival strategies

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Bitget-RWA2025/11/19 20:20

By:Bitget-RWA

- Wisconsin archaeologists discovered 16 ancient canoes (5,200 years old) in Lake Mendota, revealing Indigenous travel networks and drought adaptation strategies. - Collaborating with Ho-Chunk Nation and Chippewa tribes, researchers used imaging and radiocarbon dating to map the canoes, including the third oldest in eastern North America. - The canoes, buried in sediment for preservation, highlight Indigenous knowledge of tree selection and spiritual connections to waterways. - Two recovered canoes are bei

Archaeologists in Wisconsin have discovered a submerged prehistoric "parking lot" containing 16 ancient canoes in Lake Mendota, providing remarkable new perspectives on Indigenous transportation routes and how early peoples adapted to their environment in this area.

Some of the canoes are estimated to be as old as 5,200 years

, and were found grouped together near what were once Native trails, indicating they may have been communal assets for those journeying across the lakes during an extended drought.

Through a partnership with the Ho-Chunk Nation and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Wisconsin Historical Society has charted the canoes' positions using state-of-the-art imaging and radiocarbon analysis. The oldest vessel—made from red oak and dating back to 3000 BCE—is

the third oldest canoe ever recorded in eastern North America

and represents the earliest dugout canoe identified in the Great Lakes area. Experts believe the canoes were intentionally buried in lakebed sediment to protect them from seasonal changes in water level,

a method that may have been practiced for thousands of years

The importance of this site goes far beyond its age.

Indigenous and scientific partnership reveals a 5,200-year-old system of canoes, shedding light on ancient drought survival strategies image 0

It is believed these canoes enabled travel between Lake Mendota and significant cultural sites such as Lake Wingra, which the Ho-Chunk Nation considers a sacred gateway.

Tribal leaders say

, "The canoes are a testament to our people's long history in this land and our enduring bond with these waters and territories," stated Bill Quackenbush, tribal preservation officer for the Ho-Chunk Nation. The research has also highlighted advanced Indigenous expertise in choosing tree species, including the use of oak with stress-induced tyloses to prevent rot—a technique that

predates what we now know as bioengineering

Conservation work is ongoing for the two canoes that have been retrieved, with

a $113,912 grant from the National Park Service

funding a multi-year stabilization effort using polyethylene glycol and freeze-drying. These boats will ultimately be exhibited at the Wisconsin History Center, helping to illuminate the Indigenous legacy of the region.

This find highlights the importance of working together in archaeology. Tamara Thomsen, a maritime archaeologist for Wisconsin, noted that collaborating with tribal groups has deepened the research, merging scientific methods with traditional knowledge.

Researchers report

, "Each canoe adds another piece to the puzzle," she remarked, pointing out that the project has had a profound emotional and cultural impact on those involved.

As the team continues to chart the 14 remaining canoes still underwater, they believe that even older boats—

possibly dating back 7,000 years

—could be hidden beneath the current discoveries, suggesting the presence of ancient communities that existed before many of Wisconsin's present-day tribes.

Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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