Mark Schachtner was diving in a Wisconsin lake when he spotted a 17-foot dugout canoe that experts say was likely intentionally sunk centuries ago
NEED TO KNOW
- Diver Mark Schachtner discovered an ancient dugout canoe submerged in Pewaukee Lake in southeastern Wisconsin
- Radiocarbon dating indicates the 17-foot white oak canoe was likely used around 1,000 years ago
- Experts believe the canoe was intentionally sunk for storage, and it will remain underwater out of respect for Native Nations and their ancestors
A Wisconsin diver who is used to finding old bottles at the bottom of lakes has made a discovery that predates them by centuries.
Mark Schachtner was diving in Pewaukee Lake in early May when he spotted what he believed was an ancient dugout canoe, according to Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR). Radiocarbon dating has since revealed that the 17-foot vessel is around 1,000 years old.
“I found a fossil once in one of the other lakes … but this is the oldest manmade thing I’ve ever found,” Schachtner told WPR…