SEASON 13, EPISODE 5, “KEEP ON ROCKIN” EPISODE ANALYSIS
- Daniel Spino
- 4 hours ago
- 6 min read
In this week’s episode, “KEEP ON ROCKIN”, the show began at the MONEY
PIT AREA, where the Oak Island team continued their sonic drilling program. They began drilling in a new borehole called G-4.5. The current depth was at 168 feet, and the bottom was projected to be around 212 feet. The team is hoping this location will produce an artifact that can prove their theory of falling treasure into the Solution Channel.
The action then took us to THE LAB, where the Oak Island team met to discuss the artifact found at the WESTERN SWAMP in last week’s episode. Gary Drayton believed it could be a Petronel, which was an early muzzle loading firearm. Archeologist Laird Niven stated that they think it could be a Hand Cannon. These were the first true firearms originally made in the 12th century in China. Archeometallurgist Emma Culligan stated that the mineral content of the artifact was clean, and she believed it was old and dated it from the 1700’s or older. She also believed it was European. Emma completed a CT scan of the artifact, and it showed that it had a touch hole, which signified it as a Hand Cannon. It was stated that a Firearm’s expert would examine the piece for their opinion on its origin.
The action shifted to the WESTERN SWAMP, where the Oak Island Team continued its exploration of the area. Metal Detectorist Gary Drayton and assistant Derek Couch began to search for artifacts. After some digging, Gary found another stake and a log. It was noted that the log looked like its bark was peeled and ends cut. They believe this may indicate it was part of a Corduroy Road, which is a road constructed of logs. This was very common in British North America. They also found a piece of coal or charcoal which was compared to the sample found at the Stone Road Feature.
We were then taken back to LOT 5, where the Oak Island team continued their investigation of a new feature found during last week’s episode. Archeologist Laird Niven mentioned that the feature appears to be circular. He said they will clear off the sod and delineate it. It was noted that there were little angular rocks that Laird did not believe were part of farmland being cleared. He felt the feature was built to be stable and perhaps mark the spot. The large rock in the middle appeared split and made to stand up. The piling of the rocks reminded him of the Lot 26 wall feature. The rock measured 6 feet in diameter and was noted to be 72 inches in length. This led to a comparison with Nolan’s Cross, as one of its key measurements is 72. The Archeological team will continue its work on the feature.
We were then taken back to WESTERN SWAMP where the Oak Island Team continued its search for artifacts. Gary Drayton and Derek Couch continued to scan the area. Gary began getting several hits of Iron objects. The first was a complete mystery at first with no one knowing what the piece of iron could be. Although Gary later suggested it could be a part of a buckle from a chest. After more searching Gary uncovered what appeared to be an Iron Needle. Both artifacts were bagged and tagged and sent to Emma in the Lab for further testing.
The action shifted back to the MONEY PIT AREA, where the Oak Island team along with Choice Drilling continued their drilling operation of Borehole G-4.5. The drilling hit bottom at a depth of 206 feet, and the core sample was from 208 feet. As the casing was examined it was noted that it appeared to be a lot of solid material and was not loose, which is what they were hoping to find. Geologist Terry Matheson stated there wasn’t anything to write home about. The casing was scanned with a pin pointer metal detector, but there was nothing detected. The team was very disappointed with the result as this borehole was closed down.
The scene shifted to SMITH’S COVE, where Rick Lagina appeared to be sitting on top of the spoil piles from last season’s work in the Money Pit. It appeared Rick was a bit discouraged by the lack of progress so far in the drilling in the Money Pit Area. Brother Marty seemed optimistic that they had a plan in action to see if their theory is correct that treasure fell into the Solution Channel. He felt that it makes sense and that science is indicating that something happened at the location. Rick seemed encouraged by Marty’s take on the situation and the two were off to continue the efforts.
The episode concluded in the WAR ROOM, where the Oak Island team met with Maltese Military Historian, Matthew Balzan that the team met last year when they visited Malta. He stated that the piece appeared to be a hand cannon and those appeared in the 1200’s until the early 1500’s as a weapon in Europe. He wondered how that would fit the timeline of Oak Island. He said it had widespread use in Europe during that time period. He also said it may have been used as an apparatus to direct gunpowder in a specific way, like cracking rock. The immediate suggestion by the team was that it could have been used to build the STONE ROAD FEATURE and this new feature by clearing away large rocks. Please see the analysis for further information. Until next week.
DANIEL’S ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
In the episode the artifact described as a hand cannon was discussed. It was noted that the hand cannon was used for shooting up until the early to mid-1500’s. What is interesting about this is that the Portuguese were in Nova Scotia at that time and attempted colonization there. In fact, it is believed that a Portuguese colony was functioning until the mid to late 1500’s. On Oak Island there have been artifacts discovered that appear to suggest the Portuguese may have been there at some point. These include this possible hand cannon, a piece of what was believed to be a Portuguese breech swivel gun, other pieces of canon, and shot made of volcanic rock from the colonies of Portugal. The romantic in me believes this is a distinct possibility.
Although my rational side questions whether this artifact is indeed a hand cannon that was this old. The expert that the Curse of Oak Island team brought in was Matthew Balzan, the Maltese Military expert they met last year in Malta. He specializes in the local Maltese Military History and fortifications. It’s curious that they turned to him for an opinion when it appears that the piece is possibly tied to the Portuguese. The team also went to Portugal during Season 9 and visited a Military Museum in Lisbon where they consulted with experts regarding some of the artifacts found on the island. My question is why didn’t they get the opinion of the Portuguese Military experts instead of the Maltese expert? Being curious, this certainly came to mind while watching the episode.
Mr. Balzan did make a statement that this author found most interesting. He stated that perhaps the artifact, if it is indeed a hand cannon, was used to fracture rock. The team suggested that this may have been done to help construct the Stone Road Feature and what they are starting to encounter at the Western Swamp. This author, on the other hand, recognized that fracturing rock is a key component in mining. And in fact, not far from the location of where the artifact was found, is the Eye of the Swamp. It has been stated in the past that the Eye was a clay mining pit. There have been many artifacts that have been found that suggest mining operations were conducted on the island. So, it stands to reason that a lot of what is being found in the Swamp is related to this industrial endeavor.
Does that mean the Portuguese were not on Oak Island? No, not at all, but it does suggest that there are other possibilities and more realistic explanations of what is being found in the Western area of the Swamp.
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Good day from the Compendium!
Daniel and Charlotte
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