Diver Unearths 1,000-Year-Old Canoe at the Bottom of a Lake: ‘Oldest Manmade Thing I’ve Ever Found’

A remarkable underwater discovery has emerged from Pewaukee Lake in southeastern Wisconsin, where diver Mark Schachtner unearthed a dugout canoe that experts believe dates back approximately 1,000 years. The discovery, which was made in early May, is significant not only for its age but also for what it reveals about the region’s history and the practices of Indigenous peoples.

Schachtner, an experienced diver with a passion for exploring lake beds, had previously uncovered various artefacts, but nothing prepared him for this groundbreaking find. While diving in the lake, he spotted the 17-foot canoe, recognising it as a potentially ancient artefact. Radiocarbon dating, conducted following the discovery, confirmed its age, suggesting that it was likely used between A.D. 992 and 1049.

“I found a fossil once in another lake, but this is the oldest man-made object I’ve ever found,” Schachtner remarked, highlighting the significance of the discovery. His diving expeditions are typically a quest for old embossed glass bottles, but this time, the endeavour led to an important archaeological discovery.

Following Schachtner’s initial find, Tamara Thomsen, a maritime archaeologist with the Wisconsin Historical Society, joined him to document the canoe’s condition. Together, they collected measurements, photographs, videos, and wood samples that offer insights into the canoe’s historical context. The vessel remains well-preserved beneath the lake, filled with sediment, leading Thomsen to suggest that it was intentionally sunk for storage, a practice employed by Indigenous peoples of the area.

“It’s a classic look for a canoe that had been cached; something that had been deliberately submerged,” Thomsen explained. Historical practices suggest that Indigenous communities sometimes submerged their canoes, filling them with soil to protect them from the elements, before returning later to retrieve and refurbish them.

The canoe, constructed from white oak, reflects the craftsmanship of its time, displaying char marks and evidence of scraping. This suggests the use of sharp tools, such as stones or shells, to shape the wood, emblematic of the manual efforts that went into creating such vessels.

Jon Greendeer, president of the Ho-Chunk Nation, expressed enthusiasm regarding the discovery, noting the cultural significance it holds for Indigenous groups. “What we were told is that a lot of these canoes were carved from fire,” he said. “All I can say is it took a lot of time. You can imagine how much work went into each one of these.”

The canoe belongs to Wisconsin’s Late Woodland period, a time characterised by significant cultural developments, including the construction of effigy mounds. Dugout canoes were essential for various purposes—transportation as well as daily tasks such as carrying fishing gear—contributing greatly to the livelihoods of the communities at that time.

Despite its remarkable age, the Pewaukee Lake canoe is not the oldest to be found in the state. That title is held by a canoe discovered in Lake Mendota, which is estimated to be around 5,200 years old—the oldest known boat in the Great Lakes region. Nonetheless, the discovery of Schachtner’s canoe adds to the approximately 130 dugout canoes known to exist within Wisconsin.

In a move reflecting respect for Indigenous traditions, the Wisconsin Historical Society has decided that the canoe will remain submerged in Pewaukee Lake rather than be removed for display. This choice was made in consultation with Native Nations, including the Ho-Chunk Nation, emphasising a commitment to honouring the ancestors associated with such artefacts. Keeping the canoe underwater also proves beneficial for its preservation; exposure to air could otherwise lead to the disintegration of the ancient wood.

For the foreseeable future, the canoe will stay in its original resting place, embodying a slice of history that has lain undisturbed for a millennium. Schachtner’s find not only enriches the narrative of Wisconsin’s Indigenous peoples but also shines a light on the underwater archaeology of the region, affirming the importance of both understanding and preserving this antiquity.