8 0 0-Year-Old Indian Dugout Canoe Resurrected
An 800-year-old Indian dugout canoe resurrected intact from the Saline River in 1999 is destined for restoration by the State of Arkansas. It is one of only three such crafts ever discovered in modern times.
Charles Greene, a Benton resident and avid Saline River fisherman, found the ancient canoe in July 1999. He had fished near the spot numerous times over the years, but just thought the object was an ordinary log lying submerged in the river filled with mud, rock and gravel. However, with the low water level that summer, Greene realized he had discovered something rare - something more than just another log. Greene, with the help of several other men, freed the canoe from its resting place and guided it to the Lyle Park landing. They eventually loaded the 24-foot craft onto a 20-foot trailer. Ultimately, the dugout canoe was submerged in an area pond for preservation purposes. Archaeologists later examined it and its stone anchor, which was found just a few feet from where the canoe was submerged. Indians, probably of the Caddo tribe, used stone instruments and fire to hollow out the hull, which is about half a foot deep. Tribal workmen probably rubbed the interior repeatedly with sand and water to sand it to a smooth finish.
Since the State of Arkansas owns the beds of all navigable rivers, streams and lakes located in the state, any items removed from those lands belong to the state, and disposition of such items falls under the purview of the State Land Office. Commissioner Daniels released ownership of the dugout canoe to the state Archaeological Survey. Unable to fund the project, guardianship of the canoe was turned over to the Historic Arkan-sas Museum.
With grant money received from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council (ANCRC), as well as private and public contributions, the Historic Arkansas Museum will restore the dugout. On December 5, 2001, Historic Arkansas Museum officials pulled the canoe from the pond and placed it in a preservation tank of polyethylene gycol, which
consoli-dates the wood so it can be dried out. Sometime in 2003, the canoe will be ready to be removed from the tank and be mounted for exhibition.
