A remarkable archaeological discovery in a Wisconsin lake is forcing historians to rewrite the timeline of sophisticated civilisations in North America. Researchers have unearthed ancient canoes that date back to the same era as the pyramids of ancient Egypt.
Unearthing a Lost Timeline
Archaeologists from the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) have recovered a total of 16 ancient 'dugout' canoes from the depths of Lake Mendota since excavations began in 2021. The most recent haul includes six previously unknown vessels, with one stunning specimen radiocarbon dated to approximately 5,200 years old. This makes it centuries older than the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was constructed around 4,500 years ago.
All the boats were painstakingly carved from single tree trunks using fire and simple stone or shell tools. Scientific testing revealed the canoes were built across a vast period, from 1300 AD back to 3000 BC. This indicates a long-lasting, settled community rather than transient visitors.
A Sophisticated Waterborne Society
The canoes, found clustered together about 30 feet below the modern lake surface near what were once natural paths, suggest the area was a bustling hub for generations. The discovery points to a previously unknown civilisation that engaged in trade, fishing, and likely spiritual journeys across a sophisticated travel network in the present-day Midwest.
"Archaeology is kind of like putting together pieces of a puzzle," said maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen. "The more pieces you can find, the better you can start to form a picture of what was going on."
Intriguingly, many canoes were found with rocks meticulously placed on top of them below the waterline. Experts believe this was a deliberate preservation technique to prevent the wooden boats from warping during freezing winter months.
Technical Mastery and Cultural Legacy
The boats were primarily crafted from hardwoods like red and white oak. The use of red oak was particularly unusual, as its open pores typically absorb water, making a vessel heavy and less buoyant. Archaeologists theorise the builders may have selected or even intentionally stressed trees to promote the growth of natural blockages called tyloses, which would seal the wood against water and rot.
So far, only two of the 16 canoes have been retrieved from the lake. One, a 14-foot-long boat roughly 3,000 years old, is nearing the end of a multi-year preservation process for future museum display.
The discovery holds profound significance for the Ho-Chunk Nation, whose ancestors are linked to these ancient mariners. It provides tangible proof of their millennia-long connection to the waters and lands of the region. The nearby Lake Wingra, likely accessed by these canoes, is viewed as spiritually significant, with one spring considered a sacred portal.
"For generations, the Ho-Chunk have honored this place through ceremonies of remembrance," said Dr Amy Rosebrough, State Archaeologist for WHS. This find not only reshapes our understanding of North American prehistory but also powerfully reaffirms enduring indigenous heritage.
