Authentic Mississippian Canoe Found Intact in 1974 and Published in Ancient American Magazine is up for sale.
Canoes were made by hollowing out large trees with fire. Then the canoe was shaped with the use of stone tools, such as an adze. Typically made from stone, that was presumed to be used like a modern woodworker's chisel to work wood.

 

Authentic Mississippian dugout canoe found in April 1974 measures 14 foot in length, 18 inches in depth, 22 inches in width, 3 inches in thickness.(95% intact) made from bald cypress and carved from a single tree by hand (stone) tools. Made between 300 - 500 years ago or between 1450 - 1780 AD.
It has been treated to preserve with a formula recommened by Union Carbide Corp. Suggested by Smithsonian Institute.And followed by carbon testing,which dated the canoe at A.D. 1465.

( Terry Haney )

In April of 1974, my father and two friends discovered this canoe while on a search and rescue operation for drowned victims in a nearby river after severe flooding. Once my father discovered it was a canoe, he risked his own life to save it, still uncertain of the significance of the discovery. It measures approximately 14 feet in length, 18 inches in depth, 22 inches in width, and 3 inches in thickness. A portion of the canoe is broken off, but it is still considered 95%, and one of the most complete specimens ever discovered.At that time it was one of the oldest discovered,and considered the most complete prehistoric canoe found in North America.

The canoe had been preserved in the sand where little oxygen could reach it. Flooding pried it loose. Experts immediately identified it to be a prehistoric dugout canoe, hewn from a single tree with stone tools. A preservation method supplied by Smithsonian Institute (copy attached) was followed while further study was done, including carbon testing. The carbon testing (copy attached) dated the canoe at 1465, before white settlers arrived, making it prehistoric. This is very important to the study of the Indian tribes of prehistoric times. The tree this canoe was hewn from (info attached) is also extinct, and the archaeological community stated that this discovery was very significant to Native American history. The discovery of a Middle Mississippian Period canoe is miraculous. It represents the means by which these people spread their ideas from Mexico to the Great Lakes. The average life of a sea going canoe was approximately 10-12 years, and that of a river canoe, 15-20 years. The term Mississippian Tradition describes cultural traits, not referring to any one culture, or a specific chronological era. The Middle Mississippian peoples comprise the last major prehistoric phase in the Southeast. It is believed that these cultures were influenced by Mexico and Middle America by Mexican traders transmitting their ideas up the Mississippi river and to the Gulf Coast.

This canoe is believed to be a relic of these peoples. The canoe itself was one of the most cherished possessions of the Early to Middle Mississippian Period, for it provided the means of trade on which the society was based, and enabled warriors and hunters a rapid means of transportation. Little is known about these peoples, but experts believe the civilization was based on trade and agriculture. The discovery of this canoe reinforces this theory. This canoe is considered to be one of the largest and best specimens discovered in America.

As you know, my father passed away in 1999, and mother lives alone on the Estate in Crosby, Mississippi. I know my father would want the canoe in the Native American Community, as both his and mother’s ancestors were Native American. Mothers sole source of income is Social Security, as she and Dad were self-employed, and their retirement plans were adversely altered by the oil industry and my fathers battle with cancer ending at age 59.
Would prefer to sell to one who would display it in a museum relating to Native American history.

( Serious inquiries only please! )

Owner - Terry Haney

Size - Measures approximately 14 feet in length, 18 inches in depth, 22 inches in width, and 3 inches in thickness.

Appraisal - 1 /19 / 76 / $50,000.00