About This Artifact
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.
Historical Context
The Curse of Oak Island Season 4; Dr. Lori Verderame identification
Where It Was Found
Found at Swamp, north end — the triangle-shaped swamp on Oak Island's southeastern quadrant.
