About This Artifact
A substantial iron nail with a square shank, recovered by metal detection expert Gary Drayton in the slipway excavation on the border of Lots 4 and 5, shortly after a wrought iron spike came out of the same dig. Archaeologist Laird Niven confirmed the square shank on site and noted that similar nails have come from the stone features on Lot 5.
Archaeometallurgist Emma Culligan's CT scan showed a square cross section and heavy wear. She described the nail as hand-forged wrought iron of early-refined bloomery type, dating to the mid-1600s to mid-1700s, and very close in composition to the spike.
Historical Context
Gary Drayton; Laird Niven; Emma Culligan; The Curse of Oak Island Season 14 Episode 1
Where It Was Found
Found at Lot 5 shoreline, in the slipway on the border of Lots 4 and 5. Location: the shoreline areas of Oak Island.
