SEASON 13, EPISODE 8, “INTO THE FOLD” EPISODE ANALYSIS
- Daniel Spino
- 4 hours ago
- 6 min read
In this week’s episode, “INTO THE FOLD”, the show began at the MONEY PIT AREA, where the Oak Island team began to drill in a new borehole called H-9.25. This location is on the western side of the Solution Channel and near the RF-1 and H-8 shafts that the team previously explored. The team believes that this area is in the Chappell Shaft and may contain the alleged Chappell Vault that was speculated to contain a hidden treasure. This is where gold shavings and the parchment were found. The team believes this particular spot is a good place to find the theorized, “Falling Treasure” in the Solution Channel.
The action then took us to SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE SWAMP, where the Oak Island Team continued its investigation of this area and searching for artifacts. They are investigating near the stone feature that was uncovered earlier this season. It was mentioned that this is in close proximity to the alleged Ship’s Railing that was found previously by Gary Drayton. Gary began to work and found a piece of wood. After inspecting it, he said it appeared to be worked by man. It was curved and beveled. He thought it could also be a ship’s railing. It was suggested that a Shipwright inspect the wood to discover more information about it. It was also suggested that the piece be C-14 tested to date the age of the wood.
We were then taken to the LOT 5, where the Oak Island Archeological Team continued its excavation of the Foundation. Archeological Assistants, Ethan Green and Isabelle Whittier were working in the feature when it was stated that Isabelle had found a small piece of Creamware which was dated from about 1762. She also found a piece of Pearlware which was dated from about 1775. She then discovered a larger piece of Red Earthenware with a floral design on it that was dated from 1750-1830. After further excavation, Isabelle then found what appeared to be a jewel. Archeologist Laird Niven was called over and stated that it appeared to be a Simulated Gemstone, that was from France and from the mid 1700’s. The piece would be sent to the Lab for further testing.
We were then taken back to SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE SWAMP, where the Oak Island team continued to search for artifacts. Metal Detectorist Katya Drayton began working with her metal detector. A piece of glass was noticed and inspected by Katya. She thought it could be a piece of a medicine bottle and showed signs of being an older piece. After some more searching she found a piece of cut wood resembling a stake that was about 3 to 4 feet in the ground. It was mentioned it was in the topsoil before the Swamp would have been formed. The artifact would be tested further for more information.
We were then taken to the LAB where the Oak Island team met to discuss the simulated gemstone found on Lot 5. The piece was a piece of Paste Jewelry very similar to the other example also found in the same area. This artifact is black while the other one was clear and similar to a diamond. Archeometaullurgist Emma Culligan mentioned that the gem had manganese and calcium in its composition and had less lead. It was called Diamonte, for its black color. She stated it was from the same time period as the other example previously found. She also mentioned that the setting has tin in it. She dated it from the mid 1700’s. It was stated this piece was high grade and would have been owned by someone in the upper class. Archeologist Laird Niven stated he didn’t believe it was a trade item because it was mounted in a setting. He said it may have been associated with the military.
The action shifted back to the SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE SWAMP, where the Oak Island team continued its investigation of the area. Katya Drayton continued searching the area and found what appeared to be another stake. It was found in close proximity to the previous one that she had been found. Dr. Ian Spooner was called over to look at the feature. He stated it appeared there were three time periods of possible human activity in the Swamp. The 1200’s, the 1600’s, and into the 1800’s. He stated he would like to get a sample of the peat in this area because the stake was found embedded in this layer. He feels he may be able to date the construction of this layer by testing the peat. This also could potentially date the stone feature also found close by.
The scene shifted back to the MONEY PIT AREA, where the Oak Island Team continued its drilling operation of Borehole H-9.25. The drilling reached bedrock and a core sample from the 198 to 208 Feet depth was brought up. It was observed that part of the core sample was gooey and loose and that is what the team was hoping to find. Charles Barkhouse began using his pinpointer to search the core for metals. A metal hit was registered but the team had trouble finding it. They moved the sample to another table and began zeroing in the possible metal source. After continued efforts the source of the metal hit could not be found. The core would be moved to the lab for further testing.
The episode concluded on LOT 5, where the Oak Island team was going through the spoils of the foundation area. Gary Drayton registered a non-ferrous hit and he unearthed what appeared to be a button. Gary mentioned it was small and perhaps was made for a cuff. He noticed the loop on the back and said it was decorative and made of a copper alloy. After further investigation, Gary unearthed a folded copper coin. Gary said he has unearthed them previously in Europe. He stated it was from the 1600’s to 1700’s and was used as a talisman to ward off bad luck and prevent bad things from happening. He also mentioned the piece may have been used for spiritual protection. It was stated that it could have been used by the Knights of Malta or Knights Templar to assist in burying some sort of multigenerational treasure. The artifact would be sent to Emma in the Lab for further testing and analysis. Until Next Week….
DANIEL’S ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
During this week’s episode, the folded coin from Lot 5 was speculated as having been deposited by the Knights of Malta or Knights Templar, providing a sign that a great biblical treasure was buried on Oak Island. It appears that folding coins goes back hundreds of years. In the book, “Bent, Holed & Folded: Coin Talismans for Protection against Misfortune & Witchcraft in Colonial Jamestown, by Michael Shutty, Jr. 2019”, Shutty stated that the practice of folding coins dates back to medieval times when someone would make a vow to a Saint in a time of crisis and it would be carried until the vow was complete. Shutty goes on to state that a great many of these coins appeared in Jamestown, Virginia at the first English Settlement in North America. One of their functions was to ward off evil spirits and witchcraft.
In “Modified Coins and Jettons” on the Historic Jamestowne Website it states that colonists carried these coins in the 1600’s to North America to bring them good luck and prevent misfortune in their new colony. Many of these were found at Fort James in historic Jamestowne and were common in British North America. It would make sense that someone was carrying this folded coin on Oak Island as a “good luck charm”. This could have been a wide array of people that included a soldier, explorer, fur trader, fisherman, or etc. This is certainly more likely of an explanation, that someone basically lost the equivalent of their lucky rabbit’s foot on Oak Island.
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Compendium!
Daniel and Charlotte
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