Wisconsin archaeologist dies after diving training

Madison, Wisconsin (AP) — A Wisconsin archaeologist has died after being found unresponsive during a training dive on Lake Madison.

Rescuers pulled 63-year-old James Skibo from Lake Mendota on Friday morning. The Wisconsin Journal reported.

Wisconsin Historical Society director and CEO Christian Oberland said Skibo is training two other divers for next season. The Dane County Coroner’s Office said the cause of death is still under investigation.

Skibo was named state archaeologist in 2021. He discovered a 1,200-year-old canoe on Lake Mendota in June 2021, and a 3,000-year-old canoe on the same lake in September.

The Wisconsin Historical Society said on its Facebook page that Skibo is looking forward to enjoying more dives and exploring canoe sites on Lake Mendota this spring.

Skibo previously served as Dean of the Department of Anthropology at Illinois State University. He has authored and edited 11 of his books and reviewed dozens of articles on pottery and Great Lakes archeology.

“He was a teacher, but he was also a great learner,” said Overland. “And what I mean by great learner is that he was an explorer. rice field.”