Archaeologists reported the discovery of 16 ancient canoes in Lake Mendota, Madison, after new mapping confirmed their presence near former Indigenous trails. The announcement was released this week by the Wisconsin Historical Society, which said the findings form a salient record of travel patterns used thousands of years ago. The site lies adjacent to historic routes that once linked communities, indicating that the canoes served as shared transportation stored for public use. Radiocarbon testing shows that the vessels range from 1,200 to 5,200 years old, making the oldest canoe one of the earliest known examples in eastern North America.

Investigators explained that lake levels in the region remained shallow during a prolonged drought that lasted from roughly 7,500 years ago to 1000 B.C. This condition likely created convenient landing spaces where travelers could bury canoes in sediment to prevent drying or freezing. Specialists were able to discern layered remains, with older canoes positioned beneath younger ones, suggesting repeated activity through various eras. Work conducted by state archaeologists and tribal preservation officers also documented connections to areas leading toward Lake Wingra, a site recognized for cultural significance among Native nations. The discoveries emerged through intermittent survey dives and continue to provide clues about long-term settlement, movement, and water-based technology in the region.