Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – A dugout canoe that surfaced on Florida’s Gulf Coast following Hurricane Ian may have origins outside North America, according to experts. In 2022, the storm surge from Hurricane Ian unearthed a roughly nine-foot-long dugout canoe from a riverbed in Fort Myers.
The resident who discovered it reached out to the Florida Division of Historical Resources, leading archaeologists to collect and preserve the artifact in Tallahassee. Credit: Florida Division of Historical Resources
The conservation process has been completed by the science team, who noted that this particular canoe is distinct from hundreds of others found submerged in Florida’s rivers and lakes. Over 450 canoes have been discovered across more than 200 sites in Florida, representing prehistoric American Indian, European, and settler periods. Although state archaeologists have finished conserving this canoe, they have not yet determined its age.
Credit: Florida Division of Historical Resources
Crafted from a single tree trunk and, after centuries underwater, extremely delicate, the canoe underwent cataloging, photography, 3D scanning, cleaning, and consolidation to stabilize its surface and prevent further deterioration.
Credit: Florida Division of Historical Resources
Before conservation efforts began, you might notice that the canoe appeared lighter in color. Conservators often apply a consolidant post-cleaning to stabilize surfaces and prevent damage; this typically darkens the wood—a normal change ensuring long-term study and appreciation of such artifacts.
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The form of this particular canoe is quite unusual for Florida waters; ongoing research aims to trace its origin. Comparisons with similar vessels found in the Caribbean suggest potential connections to that region.
If confirmed as such, a vessel type known as “cayuco,” commonly used for riverine or coastal navigation within Hispanic countries’ contexts would be significant for understanding cultural exchanges across regions historically connected by waterways.
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
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