Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Canoes in Wisconsin's Lake Mendota

In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists have unearthed a treasure trove of ancient canoes in Lake Mendota, Wisconsin, sending shockwaves of excitement and awe through the academic community. The findings, which date back to 2500 BC, offer a unique glimpse into the lives and traditions of the region's earliest inhabitants.

(Photo Credit:Wisconsin Historical Society) Archaeologists have unearthed a treasure trove of ancient canoes in Lake Mendota, Wisconsin

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The Discovery

(Photo Credit:Wisconsin Historical Society) Archaeologists discover Ancient Canoes

The Wisconsin Historical Society announced the discovery in a press release on May 23, detailing the excavation of at least 11 ancient canoes from the lake. The Wisconsin Historical Society shared that two ancient canoes were discovered in a cache, in the lake, one in 2021 and the other in 2022. Radiocarbon dating has revealed that the oldest canoe dates back to around 2500 B.C. This means it was built around the same time as Stonehenge! To put that in perspective, this canoe was made over 1,700 years before the founding of Ancient Rome and about 2,500 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. All the canoes were different ages, and the youngest one was from way back in 1250 AD. Some canoes will stay on the lake because they're a bit too delicate to move.

The archaeologists discovered the ancient canoes in Lake Mendota through a combination of accidental and deliberate efforts. The first canoe was found accidentally by maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen while scuba diving in the lake. This initial discovery led to a more systematic search, which revealed additional canoes. The second canoe was found after Thomsen discovered the first one, and subsequent dives uncovered more canoes, including a third canoe resting beneath the second one.

The discovery of the canoes was facilitated by Thomsen's expertise in spotting them. Additionally, the strong currents created by wake-surfing boats may have kicked up sediment on the lakebed, making it easier to detect the canoes.

The Significance

Photo Credit:Wisconsin Historical Society

The discovery of these canoes is significant not only for its age but also for the insights it provides into the daily lives and cultural practices of the people who used them. According to Dr. Amy Rosebrough, State Archaeologist for the Wisconsin Historical Society, the canoes were likely used for:

1. Transportation and Trade: The canoes were likely used for fishing, transportation, and trade, which highlights the importance of waterways in the region's early history. This understanding is crucial for understanding how people moved goods and resources across the region.

2. Cultural Evolution: The canoes span multiple periods, including the Late Archaic, Middle Woodland, and Late Woodland periods. This timeline allows archaeologists to track the cultural evolution of the people who lived in the region, including shifts in their diet, technology, and social structures.

3. Environmental Changes: The canoes also provide clues about environmental changes in the region. For example, the oldest canoe, made of elm, dates back to a time when southern Wisconsin was covered in savannah and prairie. The later canoes, made of oak, suggest a closed-canopy forest.

4. Indigenous Presence: The discovery of the canoes confirms the presence of Indigenous peoples in the region for thousands of years. The canoes are a tangible representation of the rich history and cultural heritage of the Ho-Chunk Nation and other Native American communities.

5. Technological Advancements: The canoes demonstrate the technological advancements of the people who built them. The oldest canoe, for instance, is made of elm, which aligns with the prairie ecosystem of the time. Later canoes are made of different types of wood, indicating changes in the environment and the people's adaptations to it.

6. Preservation and Storage: The discovery of the canoes also highlights the preservation and storage practices of the people who used them. The canoes were intentionally placed in the water to preserve them during the winter months, and they were likely buried deeper over time as the shoreline changed due to drought and floods.

7. Archaeological Significance: The discovery of the canoes is significant not only for its age but also for the insights it provides into the daily lives and cultural practices of the people who used them. The canoes are a crucial part of the region's cultural heritage and will be preserved and displayed at the Wisconsin History Center, set to open in 2027.

The discovery of stone tools and other artifacts within the canoes further supports this theory.

Theories and Speculations

While the canoes themselves are remarkable, the real excitement lies in the potential for uncovering an ancient village site beneath the lake. Divers have found stone tools in the water, suggesting that there may be more hidden sites waiting to be discovered. The archaeologists are exploring non-destructive remote sensing techniques to locate these sites, which could provide a wealth of new information about the region's early inhabitants. "Even without finding the village, the discovery of these canoes and the tools found within the first canoe that was found, human-worked stone tools called net sinkers, reminds us that people have lived and worked alongside the lake for thousands of years," Rosebrough added.

The Lake and Its History

Lake Mendota, although smaller than the Great Lakes, has a rich history of its own. The lake's shoreline has changed significantly over time due to natural processes and human activities. The discovery of the canoes suggests that the lake has been an important hub for human activity for thousands of years, with the potential for many more discoveries waiting to be made.

The Future of the Discovery

The Wisconsin Historical Society is working in partnership with Native Nations in Wisconsin to learn more about the Tee Waksikhominak and to share these stories at the new Wisconsin History Center, set to open in early 2027. The discovery of these ancient canoes is a testament to the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. "The Great Lakes oftentimes receive more funding for maritime archaeology but smaller bodies of water like Lake Mendota have their own distinct histories and stories to tell us about the people who lived here hundreds and thousands of years ago," Rosebrough said. "We are proud to work in partnership with Native Nations in Wisconsin to discover all we can about Tee Waksikhominak and to share these stories now and in the future at the new Wisconsin History Center set to open in early 2027."