SEASON 13, EPISODE 11, “A KNIGHT’S JOURNEY” EPISODE ANALYSIS
- Jan 15
- 8 min read
In this week’s episode, “A KNIGHT’S JOURNEY”, the show began at the MONEY PIT AREA, where the Oak Island team began to drill in a new borehole called BN-14. The team reached a depth of 150 Feet and in a core sample found loose soil. It was stated by Geologist Terry Matheson that the sample had too much sediment in it and they did not hit the void. The goal of this borehole is to hit the void and penetrate the Solution Channel. The team would continue to drill further to try to accomplish those goals.
The action then took us to the LOT 8, where the Oak Island Archeological Team continued its investigation of the Boulder and surrounding stones. Archeologist Laird Niven called the feature, “Weird”, because it is highlighted by evenly spaced stones, defined edges and a void underneath it. It was then mentioned that the location was reminiscent of the “December Triangle” location on the Oak Island Map that was first introduced by the late researcher, Zena Halpern. An inspection camera was used by Peter Fornetti to explore the void beneath the boulder. The ground was soft as the camera went down about 4 Feet before hitting solid ground. It was a suggested that a test pit be dug next to the boulder to search underneath the feature.
We were then taken to the NORTHERN SWAMP AREA where the Oak Island team continued its excavation of the area. Past markers seem to suggest that they appear to lead to the square feature that is lined with slate and brick. Although this feature has been called “The Vault” by the team, it’s exact purpose and use remains unknown. Iin this author’s opinion, this feature was more likely used by prior lot owners, including Anthony Graves, for storage of produce. This feature has been compared by the team to a feature on the sketch of Oak Island presented by Researcher John Edwards, although the sketch’s provenance and legitimacy are still in question. After searching, the team discovered another eight-sided stake. It was noticed that stones were on top of swamp material. Dr. Ian Spooner came over and remarked that the construction appeared crude but thought through. He then found a piece of wood and said he would test its age to get a date of construction. In this author’s opinion it seems that the construction may have been put down for traction for industrial activity in the Swamp area. The team also found a large quantity of bricks in this spot, also indicating industrial activity.
We were then taken to the WAR ROOM, where the Oak Island team met with researcher Emiliano Sacchetti to discuss his research into Isaac de Razilly and Sacchetti’s theory of his involvement with Oak Island. Sacchetti mentioned that he reviewed the Vatican, Nova Scotia, and Canadian archives in Ottawa for material on Razilly. Sacchetti mentioned that Razilly, a Knight of Malta, also known as the Order of St. John, had died and an inventory of his belongings occurred. First in LaHave after his death and then after the belongings were sent back to France. He mentioned that there was a discrepancy of items. This included a copper astrolabe, two flintlock pistols, and two leather covered chests. It was then speculated that the items were possibly taken to Oak Island. Sacchetti supported his theory with the fact that one of Razilly’s associates, Nicholas Denys, wrote a history of his adventures in Acadia and mentioned that he saw islands with “Big Oaks” on them. Sacchetti also referenced the piece of a flintlock pistol found on the island, to suggest that it is one of the pistols that was owned by Razilly. Sacchetti then stated that the Knights of Malta moved relics from the Holyland and they might have ended up on Oak Island as well. The team recommended going to nearby Fort Point and investigating Razilly’s old fort area for clues. This author will discuss this further in my analysis and commentary.
The scene shifted to LOT 8, where Metal Detectorist, Gary Drayton and Operations Manager Scott Barlow began to search for artifacts near the new Boulder feature. After some searching, Gary records a hit and uncovers a shotgun shell. As they continued to search, Gary records a nonferrous hit and discovers what he called a “Lead Splash”. It is speculated it may be a piece of a bag seal that the team found previously in the area. It was mentioned that the bag seal could date from the 1300’s, but it’s quite clear it is a much later piece. After more searching, a big chunk of iron was discovered. After being dug up, it appeared to be an old chain. It was oval linked and hand forged. It was mentioned that it may have been used in pulling and hauling the nearby large boulder. The team has found ox shoes nearby as well. The artifacts were bagged and tagged and sent to Emma in the Lab for further analysis and testing.
The action shifted to the MONEY PIT AREA, where the Oak Island Team continued its drilling in Borehole BN-14. Drilling to depths of 140 to 150 Feet, they did not hit any void. It was mentioned that previous water tests in this area had the highest concentrations of gold and silver. The team wants to know the source of those metals . A core from 198 Feet was brought up and appeared to get to the bottom of the Solution Channel. It was noted the core appeared to have a lot of sand in it. They mentioned that it appeared to indicate a lot of water movement and Dr. Spooner mentioned that it could suggest that the void got washed out in this area. The core would be analyzed in the lab by a new test developed by Dr. Spooner for detection of precious metals.
The action then took us to LOT 8, where the Oak Island Archeological Team continued its excavation of the Boulder area. Archeologist Assistant Ethan Green discovered what appeared to be flat rocks outside of the boulder. The team thought this was very unusual and the rocks appeared to be pavers. Geologist Terry Matheson was brought over and he said the thin flat stones were granite and he thought they were flagstones, which were used in paving an area. He didn’t believe they occurred naturally and were placed there. The team hasn’t seen anything like it on the island so far and it was compared to the layer of flagstones that was reportedly found in the Money Pit construction.
The episode concluded at the LAB, where the Oak Island Team met to discuss the testing results on the chain found on Lot 8. This was found about 20 yards west of the boulder according to Gary Drayton. The chain was hand forged and had no seams according to Archeometallurgist Emma Culligan. This indicated that it is not modern. Emma stated that it is very pure iron, 99%, and was pre-1800’s. She stated the level of phosphorus in the metal suggests it is from the 1600’s but could go back into the 1500’s. It was mentioned that the condition of the chain link suggests a very heavy workload for the chain like pulling the large boulder. It was then speculated that the Knights of Malta could have used the chain to pull the boulder into place. Until Next Week….
DANIEL’S ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
During this week’s episode, researcher Emiliano Sacchetti presented his findings regarding Isaac de Razilly and a theorized connection between the Knights of Malta and Oak Island. Sacchetti stated that Razilly chose LaHave as his headquarters although he was ordered to retake Port Royal. History states that his choice was made because LaHave was strategically located and chosen for Razilly’s operation because Port Royal was still occupied by the Scots and plans needed to be made for its reacquisition. In fact, LaHave was inhabited by a lone Scot, who was driven out by Razilly and his group. Razilly’s stated purpose in Acadia was to reestablish the French Colony and to promote trade which included fur pelts and lumber. Razilly and his brother Claude were involved with a private company to promote this business and then they started their own company called the Razilly Cordonnier Company. Isaac de Razilly was chosen by his cousin, Cardinal Richelieu for this assignment. It is unknown if Razilly or Richelieu knew anything about Oak Island, but there is some evidence to suggest it’s theoretically possible.
It was then stated that Nicholas Denys, one of Razilly’s group, mentioned in his memoir that he had visited some islands with “Big Oaks”, so this could have been Oak Island. It should be noted that there are many islands in the area that had such trees. It was not specific to Oak Island, but it is theoretically possible. It’s also interesting to note that another entry by Denys, in this exact same memoir which involved Isaac de Razilly, could also theoretically relate to Oak Island. The entry stated,
“…I was (once) in this bay with Monsieur de Razilly and some Indians who were guiding us; an interpreter told us, as we were passing near this island , that the Indians never landed upon it. When we asked of him the reason, he made answer that when a man set foot upon this island instantly a fire would seize upon his privy parts and they would burn up, so the Indians said. This afforded us matter for laughter , and especially when the Commandeur de Razilly told a Capuchin priest aged sixty years and more to go there (107) in order to disabuse these people of their errors, and he refused…”
This author isn’t suggesting that this narrative absolutely refers to Oak Island or was accurate, but might it suggest that underground mining was happening to cause such a phenomenon, possibly on Oak Island?
In Sacchetti’s presentation it was referenced that some items were missing from the manifest that was taken once the effects of Razilly were received back in France. This included a copper astrolabe, two flintlock pistols, and two leather bound chests. It was then speculated that these items were possibly buried on Oak Island. One would presume that his assertion is that the chests could have contained some valuables. Although why would anyone want to bury an astrolabe and two pistols on Oak Island? A flintlock pistol artifact that was found on the island was presented to suggest that it may be one of Razilly’s pistols. The probability that this exact pistol is Razilly’s is low but theoretically possible. Although it should be considered that Isaac de Razilly’s brother and business partner, Claude, inherited his interests in Acadia after his unexpected death. Claude wished to remain in France to run the business side of their operation. He named Charles de Menou d’Aulney his proxy and new leader in Acadia. D’Aulney was the Razilly’s cousin and 2nd in command. It’s possible that upon Isaac’s death, D’Aulnay took possession of the astrolabe, two pistols, and chests because he could use them in Acadia in this author’s opinion.
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