Rare Canoe Unearthed in South Carolina
20 Aug
Three young boys swimming in South Carolina’s Keowee River made a surprising discovery in July: an ancient dug out canoe.
At 21 feet long, 2 feet wide and 16 inches high, the watercraft is likely half its original length. Several state agencies examined the canoe and believe it to be hundreds of years old. While they know little about its origin, they determined it was a good candidate for preservation.
Keeping the canoe wet was crucial to its preservation, and drought conditions and receding water levels threatened to expose it. Volunteers worked quickly to transfer the canoe to the Oconee Heritage Center, where a special tank will keep the canoe submerged and preserve it with Polyethylene Glycol until it is ready to dry out.
The Oconee Hertiage Center is also home to the Chattooga canoe, which was found in 2002 and dates back to the 1700s. It has been soaking for four and a half years and is just now ready to begin drying out.
Both canoes are on display at the Oconee Heritage Center. You can learn more about both canoes HERE.
