Clean Lakes 101: The Lake Mendota Dugout Canoe Discovery 

In this Clean Lakes 101, you'll learn about the discovery of ancient native canoes in Lake Mendota from Dr. James Skibo, Wisconsin State Archaeologist. In 2021, Maritime Archaeologist Tamara Thomsen found a dugout canoe in Lake Mendota that dated to AD 800. Its recovery that year made international news, and it was selected as one of the top 10 archaeological discoveries in 2021.
In 2022, another canoe was found in the same location dating to 1,000 BC, making it the oldest canoe in the Great Lakes Region. Both canoes are now undergoing a three-year preservation process at the State Historical Preservation Facility. Dr. James Skibo discusses the discovery, recovery, preservation, and ongoing research related to these finds.