1200 year old dugout canoe found in WI lake

[Marie13]

My cave/tech instructor was doing a fun DPV dive with a friend in Lake Mendota, Madison, WI in June. Thought they saw a log on a slope, about 30ft deep. Nope! Turned out to be a 1200 year old dugout canoe (it was C14 dated to 800 AD). Intructor’s day job is as a maritime archaeologist for the state of Wisconsin. Her finding the canoe was just a fluke! You might have seen this on the news as it’s been all over. What an awesome find!

They canoe was brought up Tuesday. It will be preserved and put on display in a few years in the new WI state history museum that should open in 2026 or so.

Yes, the local Native Americans were contacted. The Ho-Chunk tribal preservation officer was present. Great photo of him with the canoe.

Photos of divers recovering 1,200-year-old canoe from the bottom of Lake Mendota

An ancient dugout canoe emerged Tuesday from Madison’s Lake Mendota for the first time in 1,200 years.

www.jsonline.com

 

[Marie13]

If you’re on FB, WI Historical Society post with neat photos


They made the Daily Mail out of the UK. There’s a video complication that includes some underwater video of the lift.

1,200-year-old canoe built by Native Americans found in Wisconsin

The 15-foot-long canoe is the oldest and most preserved to be found in Wisconsin. It was fashioned from either a bass wood or walnut tree by Native Americans in 800AD.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[johndiver999]

No wonder it sunk,there was no freeboard!

 

[Jake 10]

incredible finding, awesome

 

[Marie13]

Even the non-divers had to be put into drysuits for walking the canoe in the water. Even the local sheriff’s dive team helped. 3ft waves. Air temps in the 30s.