Prehistoric “Parking Lot” of Ancient Canoes Discovered: What Does It Tell Us?

Archaeologists in Wisconsin unearthed a fascinating find: a collection of ancient canoes at the bottom of Lake Mendota. Sixteen canoes, to be exact, scattered near Madison. They suggest this location acted like a prehistoric boat “parking lot” for early Indigenous communities.

The Wisconsin Historical Society’s recent announcement highlights this remarkable discovery. Tamara Thomsen, the state’s maritime archaeologist, proposes this site provided a convenient spot near historical Indigenous trails. Folks likely left their watercraft for communal use, reminiscent of a modern bike-sharing system.
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Dating back as far as 5,200 years, these canoes offer a compelling glimpse into the past. The oldest one ranks as the third-oldest canoe ever found in eastern North America. The find started back in 2021 with one canoe, but then just kept growing to 16!.

It’s worth noting that Wisconsin experienced a prolonged drought thousands of years ago. This likely impacted the lake’s depth, turning it into a convenient shallow-water area for disembarking. Experts suspect canoes got shared among community members and purposely submerged in sediment to keep them from drying out.

Dr. Amy Rosebrough speculates that travelers may have journeyed to Lake Wingra, an area significant to the Ho-Chunk Nation. Bill Quackenbush, the Ho-Chunk’s tribal preservation officer, stresses the find’s deep connection to their history. These vessels act as a reminder of their enduring ties to the waters and lands.
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This discovery prompts new questions about the region’s early inhabitants. If this canoe “parking lot” spans back 7,000 years, which canoes may we still unearth? Perhaps evidence of even earlier Indigenous groups exists.

From my experience, these discoveries add invaluable data points to our understanding of early North American life. Thomsen’s canoe project resonates with me as being particularly significant. The fact that it connects her with Wisconsin tribes helps share their stories. Each canoe tells a piece of that intricate story.

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Keywords: ancient canoes, Wisconsin, Lake Mendota, prehistoric parking lot, Indigenous communities, maritime archaeology, Ho-Chunk Nation, canoe discovery