Florida archeologists are ecstatic about an American Indian artifact found buried in a lake bed.

This 23 foot long canoe is believed to be between 5-hundred and 8-hundred years old. It was found in Lake Munson in Leon County last month when the water level was low. Florida has about 350- ancient canoes, but State Historic Conservator James Levy says this is one of the best preserved specimens ever found.

�This canoe is pretty rare. It�s a little longer than the average. Most are about 15 to 18 feet I think. But to find one with the sides still on it is extremely rare. I think the reason for that is this one was lost in the middle of the lake. It sank in the mud. There�s a little less energy out there. You don�t have the wave action and the sanding that take place along the shoreline and that�s probably why this one still has the sides and is in good condition,� said Levy.

The canoe will be studied and displayed in the Florida Museum of Natural History.