What if the waters of North Carolina harbor secrets so old they could change the way we understand history?
Beneath the surface, hidden from view for centuries, lie remnants of past civilizations, shipwrecks, and artifacts that could unlock stories from a time long forgotten. One such discovery recently surfaced, offering a glimpse into the past that intertwines the legacy of Native American tribes and infamous pirates with a find that defies time and expectation.
A treasure trove of history, the waters of North Carolina tell the stories of ancient Indians and pirates who once sailed the seas and walked the lands.
An ancient canoe more than 1,000 years old has been discovered in North Carolina, near where an 18th-century French slave ship was found. Originally named La Concorde, the ship became famous for its involvement in raids from Africa to the Caribbean. She reached her end off the coast of North Carolina, anchored in shallow waters in 1718 by Blackbeard, also known as Edward Thatch. After being captured by Blackbeard in 1717 and renamed the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship was lost until its rediscovery in 1996, which revealed a wealth of artifacts such as anchors and cannons.
Predating Queen Anne’s Revenge by centuries, the canoe was retrieved from the marshy waters of Lake Waccamaw in April 2023, located about two and a half hours southwest of Beaufort Bay, where Blackbeard’s ship met its fate. Although not a vessel used by pirates, it is of significant value to the Waccamaw Siouan Indians of North Carolina.
Chief Michael Jacobs of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe spoke of the importance of the canoe, noting that its 28-foot length would carry many members of their tribe. “It’s a history we’re still uncovering,” he said, emphasizing the importance of the find to understanding their past. This is the first time the tribe has had direct access to such an important piece of their heritage.
The canoe was discovered in the summer of 2021 by three local teenagers — Eli Hill, Jackson Holcomb, and Creek Hyatt — while swimming in the lake. Hill recalled the moment of discovery: “I stepped on it and thought it was a log. I tried to pick it up but couldn’t. We kept digging and the canoe kept going.” Their family quickly alerted the North Carolina State Archeology Office, and a team was dispatched to move it closer to the family pier, where it remained submerged for two years.
Jacobs explained that improper exposure to air could cause sunken artifacts to disintegrate, so careful planning and preservation are essential. The canoe was kept submerged to preserve its condition. Once she was brought to the surface, dozens of members of the Waccamaw Siouan tribe were on hand to witness the historic moment. Jacobs said, “Our history is still evolving. This is a critical part of understanding what happened when colonists made contact with our tribe.”
The canoe serves as further evidence of the presence of the Waccamaw Siouan in the region long before the arrival of European settlers. Jacobs expressed the tribe’s excitement to further explore and learn from the canoe and looks forward to sharing this new knowledge with future generations. “We want to get more information from our elders and teach the truth about our history,” he said.
This isn’t the first time Lake Waccamaw has yielded remarkable finds. In October 2022, a 23-foot canoe was carbon-dated to be 940 years old, also belonging to the Waccamaw Siouan Indians. Other canoes have been found in the lake and more may still be hiding beneath its murky surface.
A team from the Fort Fisher Historic Site assisted in the restoration of a large canoe and explained the ancient techniques used by Native Americans to make these functional vessels. “To make these canoes, they rolled large logs into the lake to determine which side was heaviest.” The submerged side became the bottom and the rest of the wood was carefully burned,” they explained. You can still see the burns on the canoe today.
As the canoe was pulled from the lake, Jacobs was overcome with emotion. “I couldn’t do anything but cry,” he admitted.
For those in the Carolinas, the public can visit the conservation lab to view artifacts from Queen Anne’s Revenge and watch the canoe’s treatment in progress. Once treated, this canoe will be the first of many items to be returned to the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe in Buckhead, North Carolina.
It’s incredible to think about the pieces of history that have been preserved underground and underwater for so long. In a world where human history goes back 230,000 years, discoveries like these remind us of the rich and sometimes hidden chapters of our past.
The discovery of an ancient canoe in Lake Waccamaw is a striking reminder of the deep, often hidden history that lies beneath the surface of our everyday world. From the legendary exploits of Blackbeard to the rich cultural heritage of the Waccamaw Siouan tribe, these discoveries connect us to the past in ways that inspire both awe and humility.
As the canoe is carefully preserved and studied, it not only offers a tangible connection to the history of the Siouan Waccamaw people but also a chance to uncover other stories that have been quietly waiting to be told. This find, along with other artifacts unearthed from the lake, demonstrates the importance of respecting and preserving history so that future generations can learn from it, celebrate it, and ensure it is never forgotten. It seems that the past is still alive and waiting to share its secrets with us.