Apr 28, 2014 04:59 PM EDT
Ancient Caribou Hunting 'Drive Lane' Found Under Lake Huron

Archaeologists have discovered a 9,000-year-old man-made "drive lane" where civilizations had hunted caribou under Lake Huron, according to a report by the Associated Press.

The spot was built on a land corridor linking what is now known as northeastern Michigan with southern Ontario.

The location is approximately 35 miles southeast of Alpena, and was found under at least 120 feet of water.

"Constructed on level limestone bedrock, it consists of two parallel lines of stones leading toward a cul-de-sac formed by the natural cobble pavement," said AP about the spot. "Three circular hunting blinds are built into the stone lines. Additional stone alignments may have served as blinds and obstructions for corralling caribou, researchers said."

The archeologists discovered the site by using remote underwater vehicles, and other technology like sonar.

The area had been explored a number of times over the last couple of years, as they previously announced the drive like, along with a pole-shaped piece of wood, might have been used to hold up or hang meat, according to AP.

The site is located on what is known as the Alpena-Amberley Ridge.

"One reason this area was so valuable is that it provided predictability," said John O'Shea, the lead writer of the study and a professor of anthropological archaeology at the University of Michigan.

The artifacts and the site itself suggests that the hunters used different seasonal approaches. For example in autumn, small groups held caribou hunts, whereas in spring, "larger groups of hunters cooperated," O'Shea said.

The main feature, called "Drop 45 Drive Lane," is the most "complex hunting structure" ever discovered under the Great Lakes.

The location also provided archeologists a chance to study and learn about the social and economic organization of the hunters from that time period, according to AP.

"The larger size and multiple parts of the complex drive lanes would have necessitated a larger cooperating group of individuals involved in the hunt," O'Shea said. "The smaller V-shaped hunting blinds could be operated by very small family groups relying on the natural shape of the landform to channel caribou toward them."

Findings were published in a recent edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?

 PREVIOUS POST
NEXT POST 

EDITOR'S PICK    

Hyundai to Invest $16.1 Billion for EV Business; Sets Annual Sales Goal of 1.87M Electric Cars by 2030

World's Most Expensive and Most Heavily-optioned Porsche 928 GTS is Coming Home to the U.S.

Major Boost as Tesla Giga Berlin Facility in Final Phase of Approval Process; Delivery Event Set This Month

Audi Looking for e-tron Electric Vehicles to Spur Car Brand's Growth in India in 2022

Toyota Offers Free EV Charging to Owners of 2023 bZ4X After Partnership Agreement with EVgo

2022 Suzuki Baleno Finally Unveiled in India: What are the Specs and Features of this City Car?