The Artifact Vault

Hand-forged iron pintle

Hand-forged iron pintle, a type of pivot pin used for door and gate hinges, recovered by Gary Drayton on Lot 8 near the massive boulder feature. The design type dates as far back as 2000 BC. Blistering on the metal suggests considerable age. A similar pintle was found on Lot 15 earlier in Season 13. The proximity to the boulder adds to the growing body of evidence that the feature was deliberately constructed.

Gary Drayton; The Curse of Oak Island Season 13 Episode 14

Swivel Gun Metal

A fragment of metal unearthed by Gary Drayton on Lot 4, in an area marked on Zena Halpern's map as "The Hole under the Hatch." Dr. Christa Brosseau of Saint Mary's University in Halifax analysed the piece and identified it as bell metal, a copper alloy historically used in the manufacture of cannons and bells. Brosseau noted that the composition was consistent with cannon material, possibly of Portuguese origin. The find was later referenced in Season 10 when a similar piece of bell metal was discovered on Lot 8. The artifact adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting Portuguese activity on Oak Island, alongside volcanic stone shot traced to the Azores, a stone road with Portuguese construction characteristics, and a hand cannon fragment found in the western swamp.

Dr. Christa Brosseau, Saint Mary's University, Halifax; History Channel interactive artifact map

Stone Shot (Money Pit)

A small stone cannonball unearthed from more than 100 feet deep in the Money Pit area. Treasure hunter Michael John and surveyor Steve Guptil discovered the projectile in 2020 while searching spoils excavated from the E-5.25 shaft.\r\n\r\nAnalysis confirmed the stone was volcanic in composition, matching material commonly found in the Azores islands of Portugal. The depth at which it was found, well below the surface and within the Money Pit excavation zone, suggests it was deposited long before the 1795 discovery and may have been part of the original works.\r\n\r\nThe find was significant as it placed Portuguese-linked material not just on the surface of Oak Island but deep within the Money Pit itself, connecting the growing body of Portuguese evidence on the surface to whatever lies below.

Michael John, Steve Guptil; History Channel Season 8

Stone Shot (Lot 16)

A small round stone ball spotted by metal detectorist Gary Drayton on Lot 16, near the swamp. Drayton recognised it immediately as an old gun stone, a type of projectile fired from small deck-mounted cannons.\r\n\r\nGeologist Dr. Robert Raeside analysed the composition and identified it as an olivine-bearing rock containing olivine gabbro and basalt, confirming it was volcanic in origin and could not have come from Nova Scotia. Raeside concluded the stone most likely originated from the Canary Islands or the Azores, both heavily associated with early trans-Atlantic voyages by Spanish and Portuguese navigators.\r\n\r\nA second, nearly identical gun stone was found the following year along a possible pathway between the swamp and the Money Pit, with the same volcanic composition. The Portuguese were among the first to use these types of small shipboard cannons, and the Azores were a Portuguese territory and a key staging point for Atlantic crossings.

Dr. Robert Raeside, geologist; History Channel Season 9

Lead Bag Seal - Leeds, with Golden Fleece

Lead bag seal, found by Katya Drayton on Lot 8. The seal features the sheepskin of the Golden Fleece, which was only used by the City of Leeds, known for its wool trade.

Gold-colored knob

Sandy Campbell believes it to be far from modern; possibly from a jewel chest

Lagina team; Sandy Campbell analysis

Axe

Found during William Chappell excavation of 163-ft shaft

Chappell expedition

Lead artifact (scalloped, Sardinian lead)

Ornate lead piece with scalloped edges and two holes; XRF shows lead not from North America; consistent with southern European/Sardinian origin

Gary Drayton & Jack Begley; XRF analysis

Stone pathway / road

Stone-lined roadway connecting swamp wharf to Money Pit area; possibly used for transporting heavy cargo Carbon-14 dating of wood taken from the pathway revealed it dates back approximately 1200 years to ~800 AD, making it one of the oldest dated structures on Oak Island. This date was revealed in the Season 11 finale.

Lagina team; GPR scan by Alex Lagina

Oak stumps (Mercy Point)

Appear rooted to swamp floor; tree expert Joe Peters determined they could not have grown submerged, suggesting prior dry land

Tony Sampson; Joe Peters analysis

Overton Stone

The Overton Stone is a large glacial boulder located on the Atlantic coast near Overton, Nova Scotia, split into two halves each roughly the size of a small car. On the vertical, south-facing surface of the inland half, a deeply carved inscription combines Christian and Mi'kmaw symbols: a stylised cross with outward-flaring arms enclosed in an oval with four dots, a pair of crossed Native tobacco leaves overlaid by an eagle feather, and a three-day-old evening crescent moon. The carving was cut into the stone's thick weathering patina using what appears to be a hard steel chisel, and repatination has begun in the deepest cuts, suggesting significant age. The stone was first reported around 2009 by local resident Beverly Wells-Pinkney and subsequently investigated by historian Terry J. Deveau, who introduced it to Rick Lagina and Charles Barkhouse in Season 3, Episode 4 - an episode that took its title from the stone. Deveau's analysis identified the cross as stylistically consistent with padrão crosses left by Portuguese explorers during the Age of Discovery, particularly the cross carved at Yellala Rock on the Congo River by Diogo Cão's expedition in 1485. Portuguese padrão crosses were closely associated with the Order of Christ, the Portuguese successor to the Knights Templar, whose cross adorned Portuguese sails throughout the era of global exploration. Deveau proposed that the carving commemorates a friendship treaty between Portuguese explorers and the local Mi'kmaq people. The tobacco leaves and eagle feather carry deep spiritual significance in Mi'kmaw culture, while the crescent moon corresponds to their tradition of observing the lunar cycle. Historical evidence supports sustained Portuguese-Mi'kmaq contact: Lopo Homem's 1554 map shows Mi'kmaw place names on the Cape Breton coast, and explorer Joam Alvares Fagundes conducted expeditions and founded a colony in Nova Scotia as early as the 1520s. The Bay of Fundy itself takes its name from the Portuguese "Rio Fundo." A separate, later carving of the initials "HT" and the date "06/07" appears one metre below the main inscription, likely carved by someone attempting to calibrate the weathering rate in order to estimate the age of the original work. Deveau also noted an area below the main carving where the stone surface appears to have been deliberately removed - possibly to destroy a date that would have validated a Portuguese territorial claim. The stone's relevance to Oak Island lies in the broader pattern of evidence for pre-colonial Portuguese activity in Nova Scotia connected to the Knights Templar's successor order, consistent with theories that Templar-linked Europeans operated in the Mahone Bay region centuries before the Money Pit's 1795 discovery.

Investigated by Terry J. Deveau (2009-present). Featured S3E4, referenced S4E10, S5E14. Research paper: "The Overton Stone" (Deveau, 2015).

Paving stone ramp/incline

Connects 800-year-old paved area to 500-year-old stone pathway; builders had foreknowledge of existing paved area

Lagina team

Leather boot heel

Believed to have come from boot of a prominent individual

Lagina team

Silver Spanish ring

Ornate flower design; determined by gemologist Charles Lewton-Brain to be possibly Spanish silver

Gary Drayton & Rick Lagina

Divider Compass

Part of a divider, used for building and alignments.

Folded copper/brass piece (decorated)

Folded brass sheet with intricate repoussé geometric designs, folded three times over. Composition approximately 95% copper and 5% zinc, making it technically brass of European origin. Laird Niven's initial assessment suggested military origin. Archaeologist Andre Costopoulos (University of Alberta) proposed it may be a gorget, a neck ornament worn as part of European military uniforms and also by North American Indigenous warriors. The British gave gorgets to their Mi'kmaw allies after the War of 1812. The decoration suggests possible Indigenous origin rather than European, possibly made from reworked European trade brass or gilding metal (Pinchbeck, manufactured in the UK from the early 1700s). The 5% zinc content rules out native copper and dates the metal source to post-1500s European manufacture. In a follow-up analysis, Dr. Edwin Barnhart of the Maya Exploration Center stated that nothing in the Americas was ever alloyed in this way, making the piece definitively European. He noted the geometric patterns are universal and difficult to attribute to a specific culture or period, but believed it was decorative and possibly a religious object.

S10E06, S10E07. Analysis: Andre Costopoulos, ArcheoThoughts; Dr. Edwin Barnhart, Maya Exploration Center.

Jewelled brooch (rhodolite garnet)

First confirmed gold found on Oak Island; rhodolite garnet in copper-silver brooch; cloisonné technique; same lead isotope as lead cross (pre-15th c. ore)

Gary Drayton & Rick Lagina; gemologist analysis

Musket Flintlock Mechanism

Flintlock mechanism from a musket rifle, discovered by Gary Drayton and Marty Lagina while metal detecting on Lot 8. A CT scan by archaeologist Laird Niven revealed the internal workings beneath heavy encrustation. The team concluded the musket was not British in origin - Niven suspected it could be French, though a Portuguese origin was also considered. The find strengthened the theory of pre-colonial European activity on Oak Island, particularly in connection with Portuguese naval expeditions and possible Templar links.

The Curse of Oak Island, Season 9 (2022). Referenced again in Season 10 premiere alongside related finds from Lot 8.

Leaf/Fern Brooch

A decorative brooch bearing a unique design of twin coils of rope surmounted by a fern-like leaf. Has a Maritime flavour. Conservator Kelly Bourassa stated he had never seen another artifact like it.

Gary Drayton / Charles Barkhouse

Pick Axe

Found in borehole RF-1, testing indicates it came from Southeast France, Northern Italy, or parts of Scandinavia.

Season 11, Episode 16

Wooden keg barrel pieces

Two pieces of wooden keg barrel, one a top and the other a bottom, recovered by Gary Drayton from deep in the bog in the northern region of the swamp near sections of cobblestone pathway. Gary noted that the French, English, and Spanish historically used kegs to transport and store treasure coins, and suggested that lab analyst Emma Culligan may be able to determine through XRD testing what the keg once contained.

Gary Drayton; The Curse of Oak Island Season 13 Episode 14

Decorative iron hinges (pair, Spanish-style)

Two decorative iron hinges recovered by Gary Drayton at the dumpsite on Lot 12, marked on Fred Nolan's survey maps. Gary identified them as the type used on chests or boxes, similar to ones he has found on Spanish shipwreck sites. The hinges raise the possibility of a connection to the three missing chests of privateer Captain James Anderson and to the folding skeleton key Fred Nolan found on the island.

Gary Drayton; The Curse of Oak Island Season 5 Episode 13

Toe tap (leather and copper)

Piece of leather with copper alloy and three nail holes, identified as a toe tap, recovered by Rick Lagina and Gary Drayton on Lot 4. A toe tap is a small metal plate attached to the sole of a shoe or boot to reduce wear.

Rick Lagina, Gary Drayton; The Curse of Oak Island Season 10 Episode 16

Adze-marked wood

Piece of wood bearing concave scrape marks that Gary Drayton attributed to an adze, recovered from the swamp west of the stone wharf. Found in the same area as a trapezoid-shaped piece Gary thought came from inside a ship and another shaped piece resembling an oar or paddle. Marine archaeologist Dr. E. Lee Spence was called in to evaluate the swamp ship evidence.

Gary Drayton, Michael John; The Curse of Oak Island Season 9 Episode 11

Spike coated in limestone/concrete

Found in same borehole spoils as human bone fragments

Gary Drayton

Flat decking wood (carbon dated)

Flat piece of wood resembling decking, exposed by Billy Gerhardt in the southern edge of the swamp, an area where numerous pieces of possible ship components have been found dating as far back as 660 AD. Steve Guptill reported the piece was found twenty feet northwest of where a ship's railing was recovered the previous year. Carbon dating returned a date range of 1516 to 1674, consistent with the many 16th and 17th-century items recovered from the swamp.

Billy Gerhardt, Steve Guptill; The Curse of Oak Island Season 9 Episode 10

McGinnis Gold Cross

<p>A small gold cross, a McGinnis family heirloom allegedly discovered by Daniel McGinnis in the Money Pit over 200 years ago. Composed of 22-24 carat rose gold, cast in the Spanish West Indies 1550-1700. Holes once housed emeralds. Dr. Lori Verderame examined the gold cross in Season 4, Episode 15. She identified it as a Spanish colonial Christian cross cast in rose gold of 22 to 24 carats, dating between 1550 and 1700. The irregularly shaped piece was originally set with emeralds that were pried out, and the casting style places its origin in the Spanish Indies, likely Mexico or Peru.</p>

Mc Ginnis Family, examination by Dr. Lori Verderame.

Ardoise Hill Gravestone (C. Manulis, 1558)

A slate gravestone discovered around 1900 on Ardoise Hill, near Windsor, Nova Scotia - approximately 40 miles northeast of Oak Island. The stone measures twelve inches long, six inches high, and a quarter inch thick. Its face bears a shield with a chevron and sword, an arrow, a skull and crossbones, and a Latin inscription: "C. Manulis, Hic Jacet; A.M.DLVIII" - translated as "Here lies C. Manulis, 1558."Historian Larry Loomer, who published the only known account of the stone in Windsor, Nova Scotia - A Journey in History (1996), described it as the oldest known inscribed gravestone in Hants County. He suggested the deceased may have been a member of a Portuguese fishing party who died and was buried inland. The stone was reportedly still held in private hands at the time of Loomer's writing and is not presently available for detailed study.The gravestone was cited by researcher Terry J. Deveau in his 2015 analysis of the Overton Stone as part of a broader body of evidence for 16th-century Portuguese exploration and settlement in Nova Scotia. A burial dated to 1558 places a named individual of apparent European origin in the Nova Scotia interior during the very period when the Portuguese are documented to have been making territorial claims in Atlantic Canada. The Fagundes colony in Cape Breton may still have been active at this date, and the Barcelos family from the Azores was engaged in settlement activities on the Nova Scotia coast from at least 1508. If authentic, the Manulis gravestone represents rare physical evidence of a Portuguese presence that extended beyond coastal fishing stations into the Nova Scotian heartland - strengthening the case for sustained European activity in the region more than two centuries before the Money Pit's discovery.

Larry Loomer, Windsor, Nova Scotia - A Journey in History (1996, p. 25). Cited in Terry J. Deveau, "The Overton Stone" (2015). Stone in private hands, not available for study.

Spanish 8 Maravedis coin

Similar to 11 Maravedis; Spanish colonial period

Historical find

Barrote Nail (Spanish Galleon)

A large wrought iron nail discovered by Gary Drayton in the north end of the Oak Island swamp. Although it initially resembled a railroad spike, antiquities expert Dr. Lori Verderame identified it as a barrote nail of the type used in the construction of Spanish galleon decks, dated to between 1575 and 1600. Barrote nails were heavy hand-forged fasteners driven through the thick planking of galleon decks and into the underlying beams. Their presence on Oak Island places a Spanish-built vessel or its salvaged timbers in the immediate vicinity during the late 16th century, decades before any recorded European settlement in the area.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 4; Dr. Lori Verderame identification

Possible box drain entrance

Stone formation matching description of original 1850 box drain discoveries; coconut fibre found with it

Lagina team

Flagstone layer

Circle of flat stones lining the depression discovered by Daniel McGinnis and friends

Original discovery account

Oak log platforms (multiple)

Cut timber platforms fitted into sides of the pit at regular 10-foot intervals; tool/pick marks visible on clay walls

Onslow Company excavation

Spruce platform

Platform hit by Truro Company pod-auger boring; beneath it layers of oak, 'metal in pieces', another spruce layer, and clay

Truro Company drilling

Box drains (fan-shaped)

Five stone-walled drains in fan shape converging at sump; designed to feed seawater to Money Pit flood tunnel; coconut fibre filter layer above

Truro Company discovery

L-shaped wooden structure

Second timber structure discovered adjacent to U-shape; built in two distinct phases

Blankenship; Lagina team

Spanish 11 Maravedis coin

Found by student; one of oldest coins on island

Student find

Hand-forged rose head spike

<p>Large hand-forged rose head spike pulled from deep beneath the surface of the GAL-1 spoils pile by Alex Lagina, Jack Begley, Peter Fornetti, and Gary Drayton. Gary identified it as pre-1780 and possibly as old as the 1600s, noting the symmetrical head and petal-shaped hammer marks characteristic of handmade construction. Dan Blankenship, then 94 years old, examined the spike at his home and confirmed it was not a railroad spike, urging the team to have it analyzed and dated.</p>

Gary Drayton, Dan Blankenship; The Curse of Oak Island Season 5 Episode 1

Iron hinge (massive)

Very old hinge; Carmen Legge described as 'very, very old'; could relate to flood tunnel construction

Gary Drayton; Carmen Legge analysis

Skeleton key

Shown by Tom Nolan; links to keyhole plate and chest hinge

Tom Nolan

Ramrod Guide

Metal ramrod guide found by Gary Drayton and Rick Lagina during metal detection on Lot 5. Initially thought to be a gun sight, lab analysis revealed it to be a ramrod guide - a component mounted on the stock of a muzzleloading firearm to hold the ramrod in place. A scan revealed markings reading "VIIII," which do not form a standard Roman numeral for nine, suggesting they may be counting or tally marks rather than a number. The find adds to growing evidence of military presence on Oak Island.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 11, Episode 3 ("Taking Their Shot")

Clay Pipe Stem with "O" Inscription

Clay pipe stem fragment discovered during excavation of the round feature on Lot 5. The stem bears an elongated "O" marking that archaeologist Laird Niven noted he had not seen before on any Oak Island pipe fragment. The inscription could be significant for dating activity in this area and identifying the pipe's manufacturer or origin. Pipe maker marks were commonly used in the 17th and 18th centuries to identify workshops, particularly in England, the Netherlands, and France.

The Curse of Oak Island, Season 12, Episode 18 "If the Shoe Phips" (2025). Examined on-site by archaeologist Laird Niven.

Ornate Floral Button

Copper/bronze button with apparent floral design, heavily corroded with green patina. Found in close proximity to the Starburst button that was later compared to Knights of Malta uniform buttons by Maltese military heraldry expert Denis Darmanin. Sent to Emma Culligan for lab analysis. Found by Ethan Green.

Musket Ball (Lead Shot)

Lead musket ball found by Gary Drayton and Rick Lagina during metal detection on Lot 5, recovered alongside the ramrod guide in the same episode. Archeometallurgist Emma Culligan determined the lead to be pure and not modern, estimating it dates to before 1700. Found in the spoils around the circular stone structure on Lot 5, the musket ball adds to a growing collection of military-related artifacts from the lot, supporting theories of a military presence on the island during the 17th or 18th century.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 11, Episode 3 ("Taking Their Shot")

Decorative keyhole plate

Floral ornate style; unlikely used by farmers; possibly from treasure chest; matches skeleton key and chest hinge found elsewhere

Gary Drayton

Ship spikes (numerous)

Found from Swamp to Money Pit; possibly from docking wharf for unloading cargo

Multiple finds

Chain with oval hand-forged links

Thin chain with oval links recovered by Jack Begley and Gary Drayton on Lot 8. Gary identified the links as hand-forged and old, noting that a thin chain like this could have been used to secure a strongbox or chest.

Gary Drayton, Jack Begley; The Curse of Oak Island Season 10 Episode 6

Cast-iron cooking pot fragment

Fragment of a cast-iron cooking pot with a fastener, recovered by Katya Drayton on Lot 5 from soil disturbed when Marty used a skid steer to move a large boulder. Emma Culligan's analysis identified high phosphorous content throughout the iron, a characteristic of pre-Industrial Revolution manufacture that places the piece in the 1700s and possibly the 1600s. Laird Niven confirmed that Nova Scotia had no capacity to cast iron in this period, meaning the pot was made in Europe and brought to the island. Along with trade weights, Knights of Malta buttons, and other artifacts found nearby, the cooking pot adds evidence that someone of European origin was active on Lot 5 and deliberately covered up the features before the discovery of the Money Pit.

Katya Drayton, Emma Culligan, Laird Niven; The Curse of Oak Island Season 13 Episode 2

Marlinespikes (pair)

Two large iron spikes recovered by Gary Drayton near the Eye of the Swamp, initially thought to be cribbing spikes similar to those found at Smith's Cove. Blacksmithing expert Carmen Legge identified them as marlinespikes, tools used by sailors from the early 17th century onward for splicing and tying rope on ships. The finding adds to evidence that a large vessel was once present in what is now the swamp.

Gary Drayton, Carmen Legge; The Curse of Oak Island Season 7 Episode 20

Lead spoon handle

Lead spoon handle recovered by Gary Drayton while searching the intertidal zone at Smith's Cove during low tide, on the same day as the lead cross discovery. Found alongside a decorative brass fitting believed to have come from a boat.

Gary Drayton, Rick Lagina; The Curse of Oak Island Season 5 Episode 11

Decorative brass boat fitting

Decorative brass fitting recovered by Gary Drayton while searching the intertidal zone at Smith's Cove during low tide. Gary identified it as having come from a boat. Found on the same day as the lead cross and lead spoon handle.

Gary Drayton, Rick Lagina; The Curse of Oak Island Season 5 Episode 11

Wharf pin (large iron)

Large metal pin recovered by Jack Begley from the northern swamp near the cobblestone pathway and survey stakes. The team identified it as a possible wharf pin, consistent with other maritime hardware found in the swamp including rock stakes, marlinespikes, and ship components.

Jack Begley; The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 Episode 16

Copper coin (swamp)

Possibly Spanish origin; theory that Spanish explorers hid treasure

Lagina team

British copper coin

Coin recovered by Michael John on Lot 32 that Gary Drayton identified as an old British copper, similar to two 17th-century coins found on Lot 16 four years earlier. The coin was sent to Kelly Bourassa for conservation. Lot 32 has also yielded a wharf spike, lead bag seal, rock stake dated to 1710-1740, and ox shoes.

Michael John, Gary Drayton; The Curse of Oak Island Season 9 Episode 11

Grapeshot (iron cannon ball)

Small iron ball fired from ship cannons; clear evidence of naval/military presence

Gary Drayton & Rick Lagina

17th-century small coin

Consistent with pattern of 17th-century activity finds

Gary Drayton & Rick Lagina

Miner's oil lamp (whale oil)

Found with unexploded dynamite during Gilbert Hedden's excavation

Hedden expedition

Rusty hook

Could have been used to unload cargo from ships

Gary Drayton

Treasure chest hinge

Iron hinge consistent with treasure chest construction

Lagina team

Masonic Stone of Port Royal (1606)

A flat slab of trap rock approximately two and a half feet long by two feet broad, bearing the date 1606 and the Masonic square and compasses carved into its natural surface. Discovered in 1827 on the peninsula extending from the Granville shore opposite Goat Island in the Annapolis Basin - the site of the original French settlement at Port Royal established by Champlain and De Monts. The stone was first documented by Judge Thomas Chandler Haliburton, who described the inscription as deeply cut in large Arabic figures, though weathered by more than two centuries of exposure. Dr. Charles T. Jackson of Harvard independently confirmed the find, describing it as a gravestone partly covered with sand on the shore. The prevailing theory, supported by Haliburton and later scholars including Hon. A. W. Savary, identifies it as a gravestone marking the burial of a French artisan who died on or around November 14, 1606 - a colonist fatally wounded by Indians near Cape Cod and buried upon the expedition's return to Port Royal. The square and compasses were a common trade emblem of French craft guilds and the Compagnonnage, used by masons, carpenters, and stone cutters - all trades documented among the Port Royal colonists by Lescarbot. The stone passed from Haliburton to his son Robert Grant Haliburton, then in 1868 was loaned to the Royal Canadian Institute in Toronto via Sir Sandford Fleming. It was exhibited there until 1876, when during construction of a new building a workman inadvertently mortared it into a wall. Despite Sir Sandford Fleming offering a $1,000 reward, the stone has never been recovered. The building, now 58 Richmond Street East in Toronto, has been searched multiple times without success. The stone represents the earliest known trace of craft guild symbolism in North America, predating documented Freemasonry in Canada by over a century.

Reginald V. Harris, P.G.M., "The Masonic Stone of Port Royal 1606," published by the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, 1950. Via skirret.com.

Adze Head

An iron adze head unearthed on Lot 4 during metal detection by Gary Drayton and Rick Lagina in 2021 (Season 9). An adze is a wood-finishing tool with roots dating back to ancient Egypt, used to shape timber into smooth, flat surfaces - particularly ship decks and planking. Blacksmith expert Carmen Legge examined the artifact and identified it as an old English design, the kind used specifically for shaping wood into decks and planking. In his opinion, the tool was forged sometime between 1620 and 1740, placing it firmly in the pre-discovery era. The find is notable for both its age and its location. Lot 4 sits in a zone that Zena Halpern's purported Templar map marks as "The Hole under the Hatch" - an area the team has investigated for possible underground features. The presence of a shipwright's tool on this lot suggests skilled woodworking took place on Oak Island centuries before the Money Pit was discovered in 1795. The adze head gained renewed significance during the Season 10 premiere, when wood fragments recovered from borehole K15.5 at a depth of over 100 feet in the Money Pit area showed what appeared to be adze marks - cut patterns consistent with the very type of tool found on Lot 4. Carbon dating on those timbers returned dates ranging from 1640 to 1806, overlapping with the estimated age of the adze itself.

Season 9 (2021 dig season). Referenced in Season 10, Episode 1: "On Their Marks" (November 15, 2022). Analysis by blacksmith expert Carmen Legge. History Channel interactive map description.

Bush Scythe Fragments

Multiple iron fragments identified as parts of bush scythes, discovered through metal detection near the mysterious stone well on Lot 26 during Season 10. The fragments were found alongside other artifacts including a pipe tamper, during the team's investigation of the well and its surroundings. Blacksmith expert Carmen Legge examined the fragments and identified them as components of bush scythes - heavy-bladed tools used to clear dense vegetation and brush. Based on their construction style, Legge dated them to the mid-17th century, well before any known permanent settlement of Oak Island and more than a century before the discovery of the Money Pit in 1795. The fragments were subsequently taken to a university laboratory for further analysis. Metal composition testing confirmed the dating, suggesting the scythes were consistent with 17th-century manufacture, though possibly slightly later than an iron nail recovered from inside the well itself, which returned a probable 17th-century date. The presence of bush scythes on Lot 26 is significant. These were practical land-clearing tools, the kind a ship's crew would carry ashore to hack through undergrowth. Their location near the well - which geoscientist Dr. Ian Spooner found to contain elevated silver levels and which may date to considerably earlier - raises the possibility that the well served as a known landmark, and that crews returned to the island to clear brush and locate something previously hidden. Lot 26 was one of several lots later owned by Samuel Ball, a former enslaved man from South Carolina who became one of Oak Island's wealthiest residents. The lot has produced a range of pre-searcher artifacts, fueling long-standing questions about what Ball may have found during his years on the island.

Season 10, Episodes 11-13 (January-February 2023). Fragments identified by blacksmith expert Carmen Legge. Metal composition analysis conducted at university laboratory.

Carved wood piece (possible tool handle)

Carved piece of wood discovered by Scott Barlow in the swamp that archaeologist Laird Niven said he had never seen before. Charles Barkhouse suggested it could be part of a tool like the T-square recovered earlier in the swamp that was dated to 1632 to 1668. Tom Nolan noted signs of rope burn on the piece, and Marty observed the wood was already dry and could be a very dense species.

Scott Barlow, Laird Niven, Charles Barkhouse; The Curse of Oak Island Season 9 Episode 9

Lead Bag Seal - Norwich Cloth

A lead cloth seal bearing guild certification markings consistent with the English textile trade of the 17th and early 18th centuries. The seal features a distinctive motif of the number four atop a cross - a symbol used by English cloth makers' guilds to certify undyed cloth. The initials on the front face identify the specific guild, while the reverse would originally have borne the scratched initials of the individual weaver. The symbol is not associated with the London guild, which used a different mark, suggesting the seal originated from a regional cloth-producing centre. Independent research points to Norwich as a likely source. Norwich was one of England's most important textile cities, home to a thriving weaving guild that certified cloth for domestic use and export. The city discontinued the use of cloth seals around 1705, and the guild's records were destroyed at that time, placing the seal's probable date of manufacture before that year. Cloth seals of this type were pressed onto bales of fabric as quality certification before shipment. Their presence at colonial sites across the Atlantic - including Jamestown, Virginia - is well documented and indicates organised trade in English textiles. The seal's arrival on Oak Island is consistent with British commercial or military supply activity during the colonial period. The find is one of several lead bag and cloth seals discovered on Oak Island, each pointing to different origins and time periods within the broader English textile trade.

https://bramanswanderings.com/2021/10/12/oak-island-lead-seal-thoughts/

Axe Head

A broken hand-forged axe head unearthed on Lot 15 by Gary Drayton and Jack Begley during metal detection in the Season 8 premiere. The find was made near the stone walls and the structure later identified as the remains of an English pine tar kiln, dated by blacksmith expert Carmen Legge to 1550-1620. Both Drayton and archaeologist Laird Niven assessed the axe head as dating to the early 1700s. It was presented alongside other Lot 15 finds in a War Room meeting, including a copper coin with a square hole through its centre - a colonial-era artifact that Drayton designated a top pocket find - and ox shoes later dated by Carmen Legge to 1650-1750. Lot 15 proved to be one of the most archaeologically rich areas investigated during Season 8, yielding not only these metal-detected artifacts but also the stone structure that David MacInnes and his team excavated and identified as a tar kiln. Niven suggested the kiln may have been linked to construction of the Money Pit itself, noting that the tar fires could explain the legendary mysterious lights seen flickering on Oak Island at night.

Season 8, Episode 1: "Remote Control" and Episode 2: "The Boys Are Back" (November 2020). Found by Gary Drayton and Jack Begley. Assessed by Gary Drayton and archaeologist Laird Niven.

Iron cargo hook (Lot 11 well)

A wrought iron hook discovered by Gary Drayton in the spoils excavated from an old well on Lot 11, on the north side of the swamp. Billy Gerhardt used his excavator to dig up the well after Oak Island landowner Tom Nolan recalled that in the 1970s, he and his father Fred Nolan had found an old well in this area with pottery in the bottom. The Nolans had refilled the well at the time. Blacksmith expert Carmen Legge examined the hook and determined it was designed for winching heavy cargo - not a simple water bucket hook. He insisted the hook was clearly intended for lifting something much heavier than water. Carmen dated the artifact to between 1650 and 1690, placing it firmly in the pre-discovery period, roughly a century before the Money Pit was found in 1795. Rick Lagina noted that the Lot 11 well was of identical design and construction to the well previously investigated on Lot 26, where geoscientist Ian Spooner had found elevated silver concentrations and wood dating to approximately 800 years old (~1220 AD). The similarity in construction between these two wells, located on opposite sides of the island, suggests they may have been built by the same group or during the same period of activity. The 17th-century dating of the hook is significant in the context of other colonial-era finds on Oak Island, including the William Phips-era iron found on Lot 5 and various artifacts dating to the 1600s recovered across the island. The hook's function as a heavy cargo winch component raises questions about what was being moved on or off the island during this period.

S10E17 "A Well of Secrets" (discovery and analysis). Carmen Legge (blacksmith expert) dating and identification. Tom Nolan recollection of original well discovery with Fred Nolan in the 1970s.

Crib spikes (multiple)

Used to make wharves, derricks, and platforms; identified by blacksmith Carmen Legge

Gary Drayton; Carmen Legge dating

Wrought iron spike (swamp)

Consistent with spikes used on Spanish galleons

Gary Drayton

Block and tackle hook

Hand-forged hook recovered by Gary Drayton from the spoils during excavation of the hidden well on Lot 11 that Fred Nolan discovered in the 1970s. Carmen Legge identified the long shank as characteristic of a block and tackle, a device invented by the Greek scientist Archimedes in 250 BC to raise and lower heavy objects. Carmen dated the hook to 1650 to 1690.

Gary Drayton, Carmen Legge; The Curse of Oak Island Season 10 Episode 17

Forest Axe Heads (3)

Three hand-forged single-bit axe heads discovered in close proximity on Lot 32 by Gary Drayton and Peter Fornetti during metal detection in Season 8. The lot sits near the southwestern corner of the swamp, between a ship's wharf and the rectangular anomaly later identified on neighbouring Lot 30. Archaeologist Laird Niven examined the axe heads and confirmed they were certainly not modern. He identified them as forest axes - lightweight tools used for cutting limbs off trees rather than felling whole trunks. The concentration of three axe heads in such a small area led Gary Drayton to suggest the location was once the site of some sort of work camp. Drayton believed the Lot 32 axe heads were likely the same age as artifacts recently found on nearby Lot 15, including another axe head, ox shoes, and a copper coin with a square hole - all assessed as early 1700s or older. The cluster of finds prompted Niven to note that the number of artifacts indicated significant past activity in the area. The discovery came in the same episode where Corjan Mol and Chris Morford identified two points of interest on the island based on their geometric analysis - one of which, a shallow depression on Lot 11 near the western edge of the swamp, appeared to show evidence of prior excavation. The narrator suggested a possible connection between this feature and the Lot 32 axe heads.

Season 8, Episode 4: "Alignment" (December 1, 2020). Found by Gary Drayton and Peter Fornetti. Examined by archaeologist Laird Niven.

1671 Order of the Garter Medallion

A rare knighthood medallion for the Order of the Garter, dated 1671 and inscribed in French in honour of King Charles II, discovered in the soil near New Ross, Nova Scotia, less than 20 miles from Oak Island. Only three knights received this medallion that year: Charles XI of Sweden, John George II of Saxony, and Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle. Author and historian James McQuiston, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, argues the medallion belonged to Monck and was given to Sir William Phips as an honorary knighthood token after Phips recovered a fortune from the Spanish treasure ship Nuestra Señora de la Concepción in 1687, a salvage operation in which Monck was the principal investor. Phips later served as governor of Nova Scotia from 1691 to 1695, placing him directly in the area where the medallion was found. McQuiston believes the medallion's presence at New Ross supports the theory that Phips visited the site, possibly in connection with hidden treasure from the Concepción.

James McQuiston, Oak Island Knights (2018). McQuiston appeared on The Curse of Oak Island in Seasons 6, 7, and 9 presenting his Knights Baronet theory. See also oakislandgold.com.

Britannia coins: 1673 (Charles II) and 1694 (William III)

Gary Drayton find; 100+ years before Money Pit discovery; one had Templar cross on it

Gary Drayton

Sticks/organic matter (Eye of the Swamp)

From possible 300-year-old clay mine in swamp

Ian Spooner analysis

Staffordshire slipware pottery

Fragment of Staffordshire slipware pottery unearthed by archaeologist Fiona Steele at the round feature on Lot 5. Laird Niven dated the piece to 1675-1770, representing some of the earliest pottery found in the feature. Staffordshire slipware was a type of lead-glazed earthenware produced in Staffordshire, England, characterized by trailed slip decoration.

Fiona Steele, Laird Niven; The Curse of Oak Island Season 13 Episode 1

Iron box or chest strap

Iron strap recovered by Michael John on Lot 22. Carmen Legge identified it as a box or chest strap from the late 1600s to late 1700s, noting the rounded end is typical of straps used on heavy trunks. The thickness indicates it would have held hardware, china, or silverware rather than something like clothing.

Michael John, Carmen Legge; The Curse of Oak Island Season 9 Episode 8

Human bone fragments (2 individuals)

DNA sequencing: one European (haplogroup H), one Middle Eastern (haplogroup U); soft tissue and hair attached to one fragment

Lagina team; Dr. Timothy Frasier, St Mary's University

Trapezoid-Shaped Wood Piece

A deliberately shaped trapezoid piece of wood recovered from the Oak Island swamp during excavation by Gary Drayton and Billy Gerhardt in Season 9. It was found alongside several other worked wood pieces, including planks that may have been oars, a large wooden pin identified as a probable fid (a tool used to splice rope on sailing ships), and assorted lumber. Marine archaeologist Dr. Lee Spence examined the finds in the War Room and confirmed that most of the recovered wood pieces could easily be nautical in origin. While the fid was specifically identified as likely coming from a large sailing vessel, the trapezoid piece resisted definitive identification. Spence could only describe it as a shaped wooden object of unknown specific function. One possibility raised is that it may be part of a forward seat from a small rowing vessel. Radiocarbon dating placed the trapezoid piece between 1683 and 1735 - firmly in the pre-discovery colonial period and consistent with a growing body of evidence pointing to significant activity on Oak Island decades before the Money Pit was found in 1795. A second unidentified wood piece recovered from the swamp around the same time returned a nearly identical date range of 1680 to 1740, reinforcing the pattern. The dating aligns with Dr. Ian Spooner's analysis of the Eye of the Swamp, which indicated the swamp itself was disturbed by human activity between 1674 and 1700. The convergence of these dates across multiple independent finds strengthens the case for organized operations in the swamp during the late 17th to early 18th century.

Season 9, Episode 11: "A Boatload of Clues" (January 18, 2022). Wood examined by Marine Archaeologist Dr. Lee Spence. Radiocarbon dating results presented in the same episode.

Leather book binding fragments

15+ pieces of vegetable-tanned leather; determined to be ancient book binding material

Lagina team

Lead Bag Seal - London, I. Lloyd Army Packers

Lead bag seal stamped "I. Lloyd Packers London," identified as army cloth packers. Compositional match with the 14th-century lead cross. Used for half a ton of military cloth. Laird Niven dates the seal to the 1700s but suspects it could be older based on the use of an "I" in place of a "J," a convention that changed around 1524.

Laird Niven; The Curse of Oak Island Season 11 Episode 5

Metal bits with fleur-de-lis design

Possibly from cap of French military officer

Peter Fornetti, Jack Begley & Gary Drayton

Flower Button

A significant gilded gold button with a floral pattern, discovered near the Lot 5 excavation site. Analyzed by Emma Culligan, the 18th-century artifact shows high phosphorus levels, suggesting it belonged to a British military officer or a gentleman of high status.

The Curse of Oak Island

Spike (1700s wrought iron)

Shorter and thicker than other spikes found on island; found with gold-plated coin

Gary Drayton

Stone circle structure (13 ft diameter)

Man-made circular feature 13 ft across with notches every 4 ft; same dimension as original Money Pit; previously dismissed as old cellar by Laird Niven

Lagina team; Laird Niven re-examination

Gold-plated coin

Found alongside wrought iron spike

Gary Drayton

Dandy button

Decorative button from 18th-century clothing

Gary Drayton & Charles Barkhouse

Pipe stem

Found among spoils from Shaft 6 near Money Pit

Billy Gerhardt

Pottery shards (Staffordshire pearlware)

Imitation Chinese porcelain; Blue Willow pattern (1810s-1840s); deepest human-made object recovered on island

Lagina team; Laird Niven identification

Glass fragments

Found with pottery and pipe stem in Shaft 6 spoils

Billy Gerhardt

King George II coins (multiple)

Multiple coins from reign of George II

Gary Drayton

Pottery (18th century)

Found within stone circle structure during investigation

Lagina team

Lead ingot (musket ball making)

Used for making musket balls; evidence of military presence

Gary Drayton

Metal pistol tag with name

Possible tag from bottom of pistol with etched name; some believe it was Ball's own

Gary Drayton

1700s spike

Possibly from fishing wharf of pirate Captain James Anderson

Gary Drayton; Jack Begley; Mike West (EM61)

Silver button

Possibly from military uniform

Lagina team

18th-century wharf nail

Evidence of dock/wharf infrastructure

Gary Drayton

1704 stone

Stone with date inscription; predates Money Pit discovery by 91 years

Historical finds

Rock stake (ship anchor)

Large spike with a mushroomed head from repeated use, recovered by Marty Lagina and Gary Drayton on Lot 32. Carmen Legge identified it as a rock stake that would have been used to anchor a ship or drag cargo ashore. He dated it to 1710 to 1740, a range that aligns with the 1746 French ship's log Doug Crowell found in 2019, which describes a deep pit being dug and treasure buried during a mission to retake Acadia.

Marty Lagina, Gary Drayton, Carmen Legge; The Curse of Oak Island Season 9 Episode 10

Iron chopping knife

Small iron chopping knife recovered by Gary Drayton near the massive boulder feature on Lot 8. Gary dated the artifact to the mid-1700s. Found in the same area where Billy Gerhardt had plowed topsoil to allow metal detection of artifacts connected to the boulder feature.

Gary Drayton; The Curse of Oak Island Season 13 Episode 14

Ornate Facted Glass Jewel

Faceted glass jewel discovered by archaeology assistant Todd Langseth during excavation near the circular stone structure on Lot 5. Initially thought to possibly be a diamond, closer inspection suggested it was glass. The piece was sent to the lab where archeometallurgist Emma Culligan performed XRF analysis, confirming it was glass with high lead content and not modern. Culligan dated it to the early to mid-1700s and identified it as a French artificially simulated gemstone - a technique introduced in France in 1734. Such stones could have been worn by either men or women and likely indicated someone of wealth. The team speculated a possible connection to the Duc d'Anville expedition of 1746.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 12, Episode 13 ("Caissons Ho") - discovery and initial lab analysis; Episode 15 ("Channeling the Solution") - professional analysis presentation

Garden Shaft

82-ft structure initially thought to be searcher shaft; now believed to be key to mystery; predates Money Pit discovery by 60 years; water samples show gold traces

Lagina team; dendrochronology

Bone-handled knife

Bone-handled knife recovered by archaeologist Laird Niven near the bottom of the deep, rock-filled root cellar at the Daniel McGinnis foundation on Lot 21. Laird dated it to the 1750s through end of the 1700s, making it the oldest artifact from the McGinnis home site. The cellar featured a trap door entrance Laird had never encountered before, and the home proved larger and the artifacts older than anticipated.

Laird Niven; The Curse of Oak Island Season 7 Episode 16

Square nails

Hand-forged square nails suggesting 18th-century activity

Gary Drayton

'Ball' name tag

Tag with 'Ball' engraved; likely belonged to Samuel Ball

Lagina team

U-shaped wooden structure

Large formation of logs with Roman numeral marriage marks; purpose debated: slipway, crane base, or barn roof; 25 years before Money Pit discovery

Dan Blankenship 1971; Lagina team excavation

Large log with Roman numerals (65 ft)

2-foot diameter, 65-foot spruce log; Roman numeral carpenter's marks; part of U-shaped structure

Triton Alliance; Colin Laroque dendro

Slipway (wooden)

Large wooden structure; possibly a wharf/dock for unloading cargo; predates Money Pit by 24 years

Lagina team; Colin Laroque dendrochronology

1781 Spanish half-real silver coin

Found by previous Lot 5 owner Robert S. Young (1996-2020)

Robert S. Young treasure trove finds

Gold-gilded copper button

Copper button gilded with a thin layer of gold, found by archaeologist Jamie Kouba on the same day as the 90% silver tassel piece in the Lot 5 stone foundation. The gold gilding suggests it belonged to someone of status or military rank.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 11

Stone well (Lot 11)

An old stone well on Lot 11, north of the swamp, first discovered by Fred Nolan and his son Tom in the 1970s. At the time, the Nolans found pottery in the bottom of the well and subsequently refilled it. The well was re-excavated in Season 10 by Billy Gerhardt after the team's interest in island wells was reignited by Ian Spooner's discovery of elevated silver and medieval-dated wood in the Lot 26 well. Rick Lagina immediately noted that the Lot 11 well was of identical design and construction to the Lot 26 well - both are crudely and roughly built stone-lined wells, a construction style that Ian Spooner had noted was consistent with significant age and contrasted with the more refined stonework typical of 18th- and 19th-century Nova Scotian construction. Excavation of the well spoils produced several notable finds, including a wrought iron cargo hook dated by blacksmith expert Carmen Legge to 1650-1690. Tom Nolan recalled the pottery his father had found in the well decades earlier, adding to the evidence of pre-discovery activity in this area. The well's location near the former house site of Anthony Graves is notable. Graves was a 19th-century Oak Island landowner who, according to local legend, would row to Chester and pay for goods using gold and silver Spanish coins - leading some researchers to speculate that Graves may have discovered treasure on his property. The proximity of this well to the Graves house, combined with the 17th-century cargo hook found in its spoils, deepens the mystery of what activity was taking place on this part of the island before the Money Pit discovery. No direct C14 dating has been performed on the well structure itself. The date confidence is set to low because, while the identical construction to the Lot 26 well (~1220 AD) and the 17th-century artifacts found within it suggest pre-1795 origins, no lab dating has been applied to the structure. Further analysis of the pottery and wood from the well could help establish a firmer date range.

S10E17 "A Well of Secrets" (re-excavation). Tom Nolan recollection of original discovery with Fred Nolan, 1970s. Carmen Legge analysis of iron hook (1650-1690). Rick Lagina comparison to Lot 26 well construction.

Ramrod (musket rifle)

A ramrod believed to have been used in a musket rifle, discovered by Gary Drayton in the swamp area. The find adds to growing evidence of military presence on the island.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 Episode 21

Copper ship nails (pair, 1720-1760)

Two copper nails found near the circular stone foundation on Lot 5 by Gary Drayton and Jack Begley. Artifact expert Carmen Legge determined they are ship-related and dated between 1720 and 1760, supporting theories of maritime activity on the island.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 Episode 14; Carmen Legge

Gold-Copper Alloy Fragments (Tumbaga)

Small fragments of gold-bearing metal recovered from the Money Pit area. Analysis by geoscientist Dr. Christa Brosseau revealed a composition of approximately 65 percent gold and 26 percent copper, with a small amount of silver. Brosseau identified the alloy as consistent with rose gold, but Marty Lagina noted the chemical composition also matched tumbaga, the gold-copper alloy widely used by Inca and Aztec civilisations and later melted down by Spanish conquistadors into bars. Tumbaga was not a single standardised alloy but an umbrella term for a range of gold-copper compositions, with gold content varying from as little as 3 percent to as much as 97 percent. The presence of a gold-copper alloy in the Money Pit does not confirm a South American origin, as copper-gold alloys also occur naturally and were produced in medieval Europe, but it is consistent with the Spanish Connection theory.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 9; Dr. Christa Brosseau analysis

Pottery shards (mercury traces, Hedden find)

Pottery shards with traces of mercury found by treasure hunter Gilbert Hedden at the Lot 12 dumpsite in 1936. The mercury traces connect to the theory that Sir Francis Bacon preserved documents in mercury before burying them on Oak Island, as detailed in his 1620 work Novum Organum. The dumpsite was marked on Fred Nolan's survey maps and confirmed by the Lagina team when they excavated the exact location and recovered additional pottery.

Gilbert Hedden (1936), Doug Crowell; The Curse of Oak Island Season 5 Episode 12

Stone and cement foundation (Smith's Cove)

A large stone and cement foundation discovered by Dan Blankenship during the November 1969 Smith's Cove excavation, shaped like a horseshoe and found approximately 2 feet below the grade and about 150 feet south of the Smith's Cove beach. Blankenship described it as "quite massive." Dimensions: roughly 12 feet wide and 25 feet long, with the open end toward the shore. The width of the footing varied from 20 inches to 30 inches and averaged approximately 3 feet deep. All the stones were cemented together in a mass, with the footing approximately 2 feet deep. The earth inside the horseshoe appeared slightly whiter than outside, and the earth toward the shore showed evidence of extensive heat - burnt deep red with patches of white in layers. Pieces of charcoal and coal were found in this area. Blankenship noted that the remains of a stone-paved road from this area toward the Money Pit were still discernible. He speculated on two possible interpretations: (1) it could have been the site of a steam boiler used by searchers working on the coffer dam, though he personally doubted this as he could not conceive the usefulness of a steam engine for such an operation; or (2) more likely in his view, it was the site of an original open hearth furnace where metalwork - including the manufacture of bricks and clays - could have been performed. This structure was found in the same excavation campaign that uncovered the medieval-dated timber structures (Items #1-#11) inside the cofferdam, and its proximity to those structures, the stone road remnants, and the evidence of industrial-scale heating activity suggests it may be connected to the original depositor's operations on the island.

Sources: Les MacPhie, "Summary of Documents and Results for Carbon Dating at Oak Island" (compiled July 2006). Dan Blankenship, "Results of digging done in Smith's Cove, November 1969" (pp. 9-10 of compilation). Smith's Cove Grid System map established 10 September 1970 by George Bates, N.S.L.S., surveyor (p. 18).

Pink glass bead (17th century)

Pink glass bead matching another bead found earlier in Season 12. Experts suggest it dates to the 17th century, reinforcing the theory that European visitors arrived on Oak Island long before modern settlements were established.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 Episode 20

Handmade nail (barrel or treasure chest)

Iron artifact identified as a handmade nail, possibly from a barrel or treasure chest. Testing confirmed it dates to the 1600s or 1700s, aligning with the William Phips treasure theory.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 Episode 17

Large-diameter pipe stem (Shaft 6)

Largest diameter pipe stem ever found on the island. Recovered from the Shaft 6 tunnel area. Archaeologist Laird Niven dated it between 1680 and 1710. Linked to William Phips theory.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 Episode 18

Ashbury ware ceramic shard

Shard of Ashbury ware ceramic found on Lot 5 alongside other historical artifacts including a wharf pin nail.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 Episode 19

Wharf pin nail (1700s)

Nail thought to be a wharf pin from the 1700s, found on Lot 5. Supports evidence of maritime activity connected to the island.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 Episode 19

Hand-forged nail (pre-1795)

Nail discovered by archaeologist Fiona Steele on Lot 5, dated to before the 1795 discovery of the Money Pit.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 Episode 21

English nail (1750s, Shaft 6)

Nail confirmed by metallurgist Emma Culligan as English in origin, dating to the 1750s. The team speculated it could be from a 1600s William Phips treasure chest.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 Episode 16

Cast iron stove (starburst design)

Old cast iron stove bearing a starburst design similar to a medieval button found in a previous season. Found by metal detectors along the shoreline.

The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 Episode 6