Rick, Jack, Gary, and Billy continue excavating the wooden structure near the swamp's southern border, the same area where Fred Nolan once reported evidence of a dam. Rick observes dowel construction with no metal fasteners. As Billy works, Rick spots several pieces of pottery in the spoils that Gary describes as high-end ware. Billy then uncovers a barrel stave, and the team bags it for testing to determine what may have been stored inside. The next morning, Ian Spooner examines the feature and notes that the planks sit much deeper than the stone road, meaning the swamp's water would have had to be drained before construction. He concludes the structure is part of the road infrastructure, with stakes placed to shore it up, and confirms the wood is adze cut. After Steve takes readings to place the feature on the grid, Gary recovers a digging tool resembling a trowel from a location between the wooden structure and the stone road. Jack then unearths a large hand-forged wrought iron spike with wood still attached beneath a rock, followed by a piece of axe-chopped wood containing embedded iron fragments.
Paul Cote reports that only the tunnel's floor timbers survived beneath the Garden Shaft, with no top or side members intact. The landing has been moved down to 102 feet and will reach 106 before horizontal drilling begins to determine whether other sections of the tunnel remain. In the lab, Emma's analysis of the hand-forged nail Helen found near the bottom of the rectangular feature on Lot 5 shows a wood-like grain structure confirming it is hand wrought. The XRF reveals high sulfur, no manganese, and an unusually clean iron composition. Emma explains that excessive sulfur makes iron brittle when hot, which is why manganese was eventually added, and notes the lack of expected impurities could place the piece as early as the 1100s to 1300s. Laird determines the spike was not used as a fastener because it is too thin, nor is it a file.
Researcher John Edwards presents his theory that the Ark of the Covenant lies buried on Oak Island. Over 30 years of studying Templar-era symbols and icons through the Age of Exploration, he believes he has decoded information passed from the Templars to the Rosicrucians and into the Masonic tradition. The Royal Arch Ode, a 19th-century text recited during secret Masonic ceremonies, contains encoded references to a holy ark and an underground vault that only high-ranking members could decipher. Edwards produces two rare volumes: The Whole Genuine Works of Flavius Josephus from 1812 and Holy Week from 1763, both containing what he identifies as Masonic ciphers. A page he believes was added later is signed by member number 137, the 33rd prime number, which Edwards links to Masonic numerology. Two names decoded from the texts, Daniel Dyson and John Easson, were among the first Freemasons in Nova Scotia. Edwards shows the team a sketch he interprets as the Ark of the Covenant alongside a map of Oak Island, and notes that Petter Amundson's work correlates with Nolan's Cross. He requests permission to visit the site and take measurements to locate where these artifacts may be hidden.
On Lot 5, Jamie discovers a gilded button that Emma identifies as a copper alloy with 3% gold on the surface and 5% phosphorous, characteristics that point to English manufacture, 18th-century dating, and naval military use. Laird says it would have belonged to an officer or a gentleman. Jamie then finds a piece that is 90% silver, which Rick confirms qualifies as treasure under the treasure trove license. Laird and Emma believe the piece is in its original form and could be a knife hilt or a decorative tassel. Rick wants further testing to determine whether the metallurgy connects it to silver from the Concepción.
