SULPHUR, Okla. (AP) — Thousands of visitors have viewed an exhibit on ancient dugout canoes at the Chickasaw Cultural Center.

The display, "Dugout Canoes: Paddling Through the Americas," will be featured at the center until May 6, 2015.

Tribal officials estimate that nearly 10,000 people have viewed the exhibit since Nov. 1. An additional 6,000 visitors have toured a Mississippi vessel displayed away from the main dugout canoe exhibit — estimated to be 514 years old.

Dugout canoes were difficult to fashion. All were made from a single tree trunk — fire coals placed atop, then charred wood was hollowed out with a sharp-edged tool made of stone, sea shells and eventually, metal.