About This Artifact
Multiple pieces of leather shoe or boot recovered by Rick Lagina and Gary Drayton from deep within the peat layer in the northern region of the Oak Island swamp, near the cobblestone pathway lined with octagonal survey stakes. The fragments feature hobnail holes rather than stitching, a construction method consistent with older European footwear. Gary noted the elongated shape of one piece as characteristic of an early design.
Preliminary carbon-14 testing returned a primary date range of 1148 to 1216 AD, with some readings extending as far back as 1047, potentially placing the leather over 800 years old. Craig Tester noted that Beta Analytical was asked to run additional cleaning methods and retest the samples to confirm the results.
If verified, the dates align closely with Professor Adriano Gaspani's peer-reviewed research dating the construction of Nolan's Cross to the early 13th century, as well as the paved area in the swamp, which was scientifically dated to approximately 1200 AD.
The find recalls a European-origin boot fragment discovered near the Portuguese stone road in the southeast corner of the swamp during Season 11 (2023), which was dated to the 17th century. These newer fragments, if confirmed, would represent significantly older activity in the bog and strengthen the growing body of evidence for 13th-century presence on Oak Island during the era of the Knights Templar.
Historical Context
The Curse of Oak Island, Season 13, Episode 15 "Swamped" (2025). Preliminary C-14 testing by Beta Analytical. Field recovery by Rick Lagina and Gary Drayton.
Where It Was Found
Found at Northern part of the Swamp — the triangle-shaped swamp on Oak Island's southeastern quadrant.
