Indigenous-Scientist Collaboration Uncovers 5,200-Year-Old Canoe Network Revealing Drought Adaptation

Wisconsin archaeologists have uncovered a submerged prehistoric "parking lot" of 16 ancient canoes in Lake Mendota, offering unprecedented insights into Indigenous travel networks and environmental adaptation in the region. The canoes, some dating back 5,200 years, were discovered clustered near what were once Indigenous trails, suggesting they served as shared resources for travelers navigating the lakes during a prolonged drought period.

The Wisconsin Historical Society, in collaboration with the Ho-Chunk Nation and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, has mapped the canoes' locations using advanced imaging and radiocarbon dating. The oldest canoe-crafted from red oak and dating to 3000 BCE-is the third oldest documented in eastern North America and the earliest known dugout canoe from the Great Lakes region. Researchers noted that the canoes were likely buried in sediment to preserve them during seasonal water level fluctuations, a practice that may have persisted for millennia.

The site's significance extends beyond its antiquity. The canoes are believed to have facilitated travel between Lake Mendota and culturally vital destinations like Lake Wingra, which the Ho-Chunk Nation regards as a spiritual portal. According to tribal leaders, "The canoes remind us how long our people have lived in this region and how deeply connected we remain to these waters and lands," said Bill Quackenbush, the Ho-Chunk Nation's tribal preservation officer. The project has also revealed sophisticated Indigenous knowledge of tree species selection, including the use of stress-induced tyloses in oak to resist decay-a practice that predates modern bioengineering concepts.

Preservation efforts are underway for the two recovered canoes, with a $113,912 grant from the National Park Service supporting a multi-year stabilization process involving polyethylene glycol treatment and freeze-drying. The vessels will eventually be displayed at the Wisconsin History Center, where they will contextualize the state's Indigenous heritage.

The discovery underscores the value of collaborative archaeology. Tamara Thomsen, Wisconsin's maritime archaeologist, emphasized that working with tribal communities has enriched the research, blending scientific analysis with ancestral knowledge. According to researchers, "Each canoe gives us another clue to the story," she said, noting that the project has sparked emotional and cultural resonance among participants.

As researchers continue to map the remaining 14 canoes still submerged in the lakebed, they speculate that even older vessels-potentially 7,000 years old-may lie beneath the current finds, hinting at prehistoric communities predating many modern Wisconsin tribes.