Archaeologists in the United States have made a discovery that fundamentally alters our understanding of early North American civilisation. The unearthing of ancient canoes from a Wisconsin lake, including one approximately 5,200 years old, reveals an advanced culture was thriving in the region at the same time as the ancient Egyptians were building the pyramids.
A Discovery Beneath the Lake
Researchers 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 the oldest dating back to around 3000 BC. This makes it centuries older than the Great Pyramid of Giza, constructed around 4,500 years ago.
Each canoe was painstakingly carved from a single tree trunk using fire and simple stone or shell tools. Radiocarbon dating of the wood shows the boats were built over a vast period, from 1300 AD back to 3000 BC. This indicates the site was a hub of activity for millennia. The canoes were found clustered 30 feet below the surface near what were likely natural travel paths, suggesting the lake was a busy thoroughfare for generations.
Sophisticated Builders and Spiritual Journeys
The discovery points to a previously unknown civilisation that engaged in trade, fishing, and possibly spiritual journeys across a sophisticated travel network in the present-day Midwest. The canoes' builders displayed remarkable skill and knowledge. The oldest vessel, contemporaneous with early Egyptian dynasties, was crafted from a red oak trunk.
This choice of wood is intriguing, as red oak typically absorbs water easily. Archaeologists theorise the builders may have selected or even manipulated trees to develop natural blockages called tyloses, which would seal the wood against water, rot, and improve buoyancy. '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.'
Furthermore, the boats were carefully preserved with rocks placed on top of them below the waterline, a technique experts believe prevented warping during freezing winter months.
Connecting to the Ho-Chunk Nation
The findings hold profound significance for the Ho-Chunk Nation. While the Ho-Chunk people migrated to the area around 800 AD, the discovery proves their ancient ancestors inhabited the region for thousands of years, strengthening a deep cultural and spiritual connection to the land and waters.
The ancient community likely travelled to nearby Lake Wingra, a site of great spiritual importance. 'One of its springs, with its white clay bottom, is viewed as a portal to the spirit world,' explained Dr Amy Rosebrough, State Archaeologist for WHS. 'For generations, the Ho-Chunk have honored this place.'
So far, only two of the 16 canoes have been retrieved and are nearing the end of a multi-year preservation process, destined for future museum exhibition. This remarkable find in Wisconsin doesn't just add to history—it rewrites the timeline of sophisticated human development in North America.
