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SEASON 11, EPISODE 16, “DARK AND STORMY” ARTIFACT AND FEATURE ANALYSIS

THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND – THE HISTORY CHANNEL (ALL PICS)


In last night’s episode, “Dark and Stormy”, we begin at the Swamp, where Oak Island team members, Geoscientist, Dr. Ian Spooner, Jack Begley, Craig Tester, along with Rick and Alex Lagina are analyzing the area in the middle of the Swamp where the recent tree stumps were found. Dr. Spooner mentions that there appears to be a higher and lower layer of these stumps that were axe cut. He mentions that if the stumps date to the 1200’s they could be tied to the stone road feature. He goes on to say that they need the conditions to be drier in order to resume work in the area. With Hurricane Lee approaching Nova Scotia, it didn’t appear that would happen any time soon.


THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND – THE HISTORY CHANNEL (ALL PICS)


We are then taken to War Room where the Oak Island team is meeting with Geoscientist, Dr. Aaron Satkoski, who is a colleague of Dr. Spooner. He was sent samples of wood that were found in Borehole RF-1, which is believed to be the location of the original Money Pit. The wood samples included a piece of wood and a Pickaxe. Dr. Satkoski explains that he conducted isotope testing on the pieces. He explains that the Strontium he analyzed serves as a fingerprint of the sample and suggests where in the world it originated. Dr. Satkoski revealed that the samples indicated that they were from either Southeast France, Northern Italy, or parts of Scandinavia. The team’s previous visits to France and Italy are mentioned and it's speculated that the results from this testing could tie to the Knights Templar being on Oak Island.


THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND – THE HISTORY CHANNEL (ALL PICS)


The scene shifts to the Lot 5 excavation site, where metal detectorist, Gary Drayton, Jack Begley and Archeologists Jamie Kouba and Fiona Steele are working the area. Gary detects a non-ferrous hit on his detector and unearths what appears to be a button. He calls it a “Flat Button” that is either Silver or Pewter. He believes it was an officer’s button and could date from the 1650’s to the 1800’s. Continuing to work, Gary unearths another button. This one appears to have some markings on it. Gary believes it is a military button and may be from the 1700’s and associated with artillery. Gary notices what he believes are 3 cannons and 3 dots on the face of the button. He speculates that it could be British, French, or Spanish. The buttons will be bagged and tagged and sent to Emma at the Lab for further analysis.


THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND – THE HISTORY CHANNEL (ALL PICS)


We were then taken to the Research Center, where Rick and Marty Lagina and researchers Judi Rudebusch and Emiliano Sacchetti were meeting. They assembled to discuss Carbon 14 testing results of the tree stumps located at the lower level in the middle of the Swamp. The analysis indicated that there is a 54% probability that the trees started growing from 1346-1396. There was a 41% probability that the trees started growing from 1296-1328. The team discussed the findings of Archeoastronomer, Adriano Gaspani during season 10, when he theorized that Nolan’s Cross was created in 1200AD and could be tied to the Knights Templar. The team believes they should look at two other stone formations and see if they correlate to the same time period and the Knights Templar. These include the Stone Cairns, which Fred Nolan called Pirate Piles, located on Lot 15 and the Stone Triangle located near Smith’s Cove.


THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND – THE HISTORY CHANNEL (ALL PICS)


Our analysis concludes in the War Room when the Oak Island team assembles to discuss the threat of Hurricane Lee that is forecasted to hit the area in the upcoming week. Rick mentions that safety is the top concern, and they should close down operations and secure the work sites to the best of their ability. They know that water intrusion will happen at the sites, the worst being at the Garden Shaft and Swamp. It is mentioned that there could be a significant delay like there was when Hurricane Dorian hit the area in 2019. Rick states that this could be the most dangerous day on the Island, and “I don’t want to be here”. Craig mentions that he team needs to be careful on the roads on the island because of the flooding that is anticipated. The episode closes with various shots of preparations taken by the team in anticipation of Hurricane Lee’s arrival. Until next week’s episode.


Good day from the Compendium!

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