Archaeologists in Wisconsin have mapped 16 ancient canoes submerged in Lake Mendota, forming a prehistoric “parking lot” for Indigenous travelers.

The site, near old Native trails, shows that canoes were left for communal use and stored in sediment to prevent damage, with some dating back 5,200 years.

Earlier finds included canoes between 1,200 and 4,500 years old, suggesting the location was repeatedly used over millennia.

The lake and surrounding waterways were integral to local communities, including the ancestral homeland of the Ho-Chunk Nation, who view the area as spiritually significant, the AP has reported.

Researchers hope continued excavation may reveal even older canoes, shedding light on the deep history of Indigenous people in the region.