Wisconsin archaeologists identify 16 ancient canoes in prehistoric 'parking lot'

Archaeologists have identified more than a dozen ancient canoes that Indigenous people apparently left behind in a prehistoric parking lot along a Wisconsin lakeshore. The Wisconsin Historical Society announced Wednesday that archaeologists have identified 16 canoes submerged in the lake bed of Lake Mendota in Madison. The discoveries began in 2021 when researchers uncovered the remains of a 1,200-year-old canoe in the lake. The following year they discovered a 3,000-year-old canoe, a 4,500-year-old canoe under it, as well as another 2,000-year-old canoe next to it. The oldest canoe of the 16 the society has now mapped is about 5,200 years old. Maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen says the canoes were positioned near a network of indigenous trials.