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January 21, 2026

Lake Mendota Holds Some of the Country’s Oldest Known Canoes

City Cast Madison

Lake Mendota Holds Some of the Country’s Oldest Known Canoes

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Last year, the Wisconsin Historical Society announced the discovery of a canoe parking lot with 16 ancient canoes in Lake Mendota. Wisconsin Maritime Archeologist Tamara Thomsen made the initial discovery and has been on the forefront of the work to preserve the canoes. She chats with host Bianca Martin and about the significance of the findings, the process of uncovering and preserving these artifacts, the historical context with local tribes, and other maritime archeological work in Wisconsin’s waterways.

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