About This Button
Fragile button with a distinctive starburst design, composed of a lead layer over a tin base. Moya MacDonald recovered it on Lot 5 at the stone foundation during Season 11. Emma Culligan's analysis confirmed the lead-over-tin composition. Archaeologist Laird Niven identified it as a cast decorative button whose elevated quality suggests it belonged to someone of importance, noting that comparable examples date from the 1600s to 1700s, with some reaching back to medieval times. Judi Rudebusch later pointed to similarities between the button and Knights of Malta uniform buttons, proposing a possible connection to the military order.
Historical Context
Found by archaeologist Moya MacDonald during Lot 5 excavation. Featured S11E22. Stove with matching starburst design examined S12E6. Knights of Malta uniform comparison S12E20.
Where It Was Found
Found at Lot 5, stone foundation area — Oak Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.
