Dugout Canoe Believed to Be Hundreds of Years Old Unearthed by Hurricane Irma in Florida

After flooding homes and scattering debris across parts of Florida, deadly Hurricane Irma unearthed a dugout canoe that researchers believe may be hundreds of years old.

The relic was discovered by resident Randy "Shots" Lathrop, who immediately recognized the historic value of the boat and notified the state's Division of Historical Resources, according to a Facebook post.

"It looked just like a log," Lathrop told ABC News. "My main concern was to secure it from harm's way. I was able to go half a mile away and get my friend with a truck and we struggled to get into the back of the truck.

"It weighs almost 700 pounds, but to me, it might as well have weighed 1,000 pounds. It's been water soaked for years," he added.

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Lathrop came across the canoe while he was out bicycling and looking for damage from the storm, Florida Today reports. According to the division's canoe expert, Julie Duggins, it measured roughly 15 feet long

The canoe was washed ashore from the Indian River, along what has been nicknamed Florida's "Space Coast" because of how close it is to the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, ABC News reports.

Officials are waiting on radiocarbon-dating results to determine the actual age of the boat, according to Florida Today.

"Florida is a treasure trove of unique history and we are excited about the recent discovery of the dugout canoe," Department of State Communications Director Sarah Revell told ABC News. "As we continue to evaluate and learn more about the canoe, our goal is to ensure it is preserved and protected for future generations in the local community and across Florida to learn from and enjoy."

The Division of Historical Resources describes the ancient canoes found within the state as important and fragile artifacts. They tell the story of Florida's past, with the oldest dating back to up to 7,000 years ago.

The canoe found by Lathrop has a squared-off shape, which Revell said is commonly seen in the historic period ranging from 1513 to roughly 50 years ago. However, it has several uncommon features on it.

Photos Lathrop took of the boat showed square nails embedded in the wood, splotches of what may be red and white paint and possible rope burns, reports Florida Today.

It also sported small compartments.

"The compartments are a bit out of the ordinary," said Revell. "The square nails are cut nails. Cut nails were first in production in the early 19th century so that helps to indicate it is a historic canoe."

Plans for the canoe's conservation and public display are still being finalized.

Hurricane Irma was a powerful storm that brought coastal surge flooding, flooding rainfall and damaging winds stretching from the northern Leeward Islands to the Southeast U.S.