Ancestral Mapuche wampo discovered in Lake Llanquihue

Divers from Puerto Varas Diving have discovered an ancestral Mapuche vessel, known as a wampo, submerged in Lake Llanquihue near Frutillar, Chile. The discovery occurred during an exploration of a volcanic rock wall, or cancagua, at a depth of approximately 22 to 25 meters.

A wampo is a traditional canoe crafted from a hollowed-out log, used by indigenous peoples for transportation and communication across rivers and lakes. The found structure is estimated to be about 4 meters long and 50 centimeters wide.

Archaeologists have been consulted, and the find has been reported to the National Monuments Council (CMN). Researchers plan to extract carbon samples to determine the age of the organic material. Because the vessel has been submerged, the lack of oxygen may have helped preserve its fragile structure. The discovery offers new opportunities to study the historical and cultural heritage of indigenous peoples in southern Chile, with some proponents suggesting the creation of an underwater museum in the area.