Lake Pithlachocco Canoe Site, Archaeological site at Newnan's Lake near Gainesville, Florida, United States.
Lake Pithlachocco Canoe Site is an archaeological location on the northeastern shore of Newnan's Lake near Gainesville, containing the remains of about 93 ancient dugout boats. These vessels were found exposed along the waterline and display varying sizes and construction styles.
Most of these canoes date to 3,000 to 5,000 years ago and represent one of the largest collections of prehistoric vessels in North America. The site was discovered in 2000 during a drought when dropping water levels exposed the wooden boats along the shore.
The canoes show how Native American craftspeople shaped fire-hollowed logs into boats, a technique that lasted thousands of years in this region. These vessels represent skills passed down through generations of people who lived by the water and understood how to work with their environment.
The site is located east of Gainesville along State Road 26 and is accessible by car. Visitors should plan ahead since there are no parking areas, restrooms, or visitor facilities on or near the grounds.
About half of the recovered canoes were notably large, reaching lengths of up to about 22 feet (7 meters) with carefully shaped bows and sterns. These dimensions suggest the boats were built for extended journeys across the lake or through waterways.
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