The Cultural Heritage of a Dugout Canoe: The Influence On a Single American Indian Tribe Spanning Hundreds of Years
ABSTRACT
Dugout canoes have been used by American Indians for thousands of years. They have as the main modes of trades, economy, and transportation long before European settles reached their lands. This article will discuss the importance of these canoes to tribal members by examining the existence of a single canoe that was discovered in the South River in North Carolina, USA. The canoe was built around 650 years ago and after its rediscovery in 2018 it was adopted back into the American Indian tribe who are the descendants of the people who made it. The entire history of the canoe will be considered including its creation, abandonment, rediscovery, excavation, preservation, adoption into the Coharie Tribe, and its final curation. This will explain how the cultural importance of such vessels can span hundreds of years and help preserve the spiritual connection between modern people and their ancestors.