The Curse of Oak Island – The History Channel
In this week’s episode, “Worth the Weight”, we are first taken to the Garden Shaft area where the Oak Island team was making preparations for their last core drilling of the season. The new drill hole is about eight feet from the Garden Shaft and has been named E.5N-14.5, also called Bravo Sierra by Marty Lagina. Marty said that they are taking one last big swing for the season in hopes to drill down between 80 to 100 feet and hit the source of the precious metal’s readings in the water. Doctors Spooner and Michael contend that the readings don’t seem to be natural because the associated rock that gold and silver are usually found in is not present in this area. The drilling proceeded and went down to 119 feet. A sample was brought to the team and after inspection it revealed only sand and clay were in the core drill tube. The team speculated that this might be due to a flood tunnel running through this area. Although, it has been determined by previous searchers and geologists that no flood tunnels exist on Oak Island and the water intrusion is from natural sources.
The Curse of Oak Island – The History Channel
We are then taken to the Lab where the arrowhead allegedly found on Oak Island by Robert Dunfield’s father, has undergone testing and the results were given to the Oak Island team. First, Archaeologist Laird Niven mentions that the arrowhead seems to be thin and that it seems to be designed for a more precise piercing perhaps for warfare instead of hunting. Laird alludes to perhaps chainmail being a possible goal for piercing, which could make the artifact very old. Archeometallurgist, Emma Culligan ran the artifact through the XRF Scanner and mentioned that the arrowhead had high levels of phosphorus and iron and was British in origin. She mentions that it appears to be from the pre-1600’s time period, as Laird mentions, “As far as we know”. When, why, where, and how this artifact came to be on Oak Island is still up for speculation and further research.
The Curse of Oak Island – The History Channel
The scene shifted to Lot 10 where metal detectorist Gary Drayton and Alex Lagina were investigating iron metal hits in the area around where the Nolan’s Cross/Tree of Life boulder was raised. Under it there was an interesting concrete type stone with hair embedded in it that was discovered. As Gary receives a hit, an artifact is dug up that he said looks like a pin, chisel, or a tool. After closer inspection, Gary settles on what he believes is a chisel. He mentions with all the inscribed stones that have been found on the island, perhaps it was used for such a function. Chisels can be used for a variety of work and the artifact will be analyzed by Emma in the Lab to give further information to identify its possible function and composition.
The Curse of Oak Island – The History Channel
The scene shifted to the Lot 5 Rectangular feature excavation site where Archeologists Laird Niven and Helen Sheldon are continuing to excavate this curious feature. It is mentioned that the soil in this area and the other Lot 5 excavation site near the shore, have soil that appears to be artificially man made that also is found in the Money Pit area. As the archeologists are working, Helen digs up what appears to be another lead weight. This is the second found in this area. Then a few moments later, she finds another. Marty Lagina asks if they can weigh the weights to see if they are the same size. After weighing the two artifacts, their weight is the same as the original, which weighed .069 ounces, found earlier in the season. This suggests that they were being used in weighing money, gold, or anything involved with bartering or trade. The big question the Compendium has, was this trade legitimate or was it illegal activity going on between the French/English interests that patrolled the area at one time in history? Compendium Investigations believes there was a brick and lime making operation that may have gone on before or concurrently with this trading activity. This appears to have involved Lot 5, Lot 9, Lot 10, Lot 15, Lot 18 (Money Pit) and The Swamp, and possibly more areas yet to be determined.
The Curse of Oak Island – The History Channel
We were then taken back to the War Room where the Oak Island team is meeting to discuss the work that was completed in Season 11 and plan out the team’s goals for next season. First, Laird Niven discussed the discoveries and progress on the two Lot 5 excavation sites. Laird mentioned that it became a larger project than expected and they have more to accomplish there. The work in The Swamp was then mentioned and it was stated that it appears to be a manmade feature with a vast clearing of trees and then water filled in and expanded over time. It is mentioned that a trail seems to lead right to the large boulder unearthed this season. Craig Tester then gives the team the results of the C-14 testing from sticks that were found under the boulder. The dates ranged from 656-774AD. Whether this indicates that this period is when the boulder was placed is highly speculative. The reason being is that it isn’t known when the boulder may have exactly ended up on the wood sample and how long that wood sample and been there when it was covered up. This applies to the Stone Road feature dating method as well.
The Curse of Oak Island – The History Channel
The scene continued at the War Room where Season 11 and our analysis concluded. The recent European trip is discussed with its stated goal of showing that there was irrefutable proof that there was an East to West voyage that brought treasure to the New World. Doctors Spooner and Michael state that they are still sure that there are precious metals in the subsoil in the Baby Blob area. Marty Lagina suggested where the team should focus on in the Garden Shaft area for next season. He suggests they focus on the area north of the Baby Blob and put a caisson down about 80 to 120 feet. This would require removing tons of dirt to level the ground in that area so they could drill. Dr. Michaels again states that he is sure there are precious metals there. The team also states that they would like to sink caissons in Aladdin’s Cave, Borehole RF-1, and H-8 to explore those areas further. The season finale ends with Rick Lagina reminiscing about his childhood and stating that he still believes treasure is on the island.
Thank you for following our analyses of this season. Join us this Sunday for The Compendium’s Season Finale Investigation for Season 11 entitled, “The Mystery of the Oak Island Gold and Silver”.
Watch this summer for more investigations, Throwback Thursday’s, and special surprises from us. Thank you for making our inaugural season memorable.
Good day from the Compendium!