5 Discoveries Surrounding Nolan’s Cross | The Curse of Oak Island

The Mystery of Oak Island: Unraveling Fred Nolan’s Dramatic Discovery and the Hunt for Hidden Treasures

Oak Island, a small patch of land off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, has captivated treasure hunters, archaeologists, and history buffs alike for centuries. The island’s dark history is intertwined with stories of hidden treasures, elusive artifacts, and mysterious symbols. Among the most significant discoveries in the ongoing search for treasure is the work of Fred Nolan, a surveyor who made dramatic findings that continue to fuel investigations today. This article explores Nolan’s most famous discovery—the enigmatic rock formation known as “Nolan’s Cross”—and the team’s recent efforts to further unravel the secrets it holds.

Fred Nolan’s Discovery: Nolan’s Cross

Fred Nolan’s most dramatic discovery on Oak Island occurred in 1981, when he uncovered a remarkable formation of large, cone-shaped boulders on his property. These boulders, arranged in the shape of a symmetrical cross, spanned an impressive 720 by 867 feet, raising immediate questions about their purpose and significance. Nolan, a skilled land surveyor, believed the boulders were deliberately arranged and that something of great importance was buried at their center.

In the heart of the cross, Nolan discovered a sixth boulder—a large stone that resembled a human head. The stone appeared to have been deliberately carved or shaped, with features such as an indentation that could suggest the presence of a face. Though weathered over time, the stone clearly showed signs of manipulation, with smoother, chiseled surfaces that did not resemble the natural roughness of the other stones in the formation.

The discovery of this “Headstone” has prompted several theories about its origins and significance. Many have speculated that the cross formation represents the Templar Cross, a symbol closely associated with the Knights Templar. However, there is another intriguing theory that suggests the boulders were carefully arranged to form a representation of the Tree of Life, an ancient Hebraic symbol representing the ten spiritual principles of God’s creation. This theory gained further support when smaller, strangely flat-sided stones were discovered at key locations around the cross that corresponded to where the “SEI Rock” would be located in the Tree of Life symbolism.

The Work of Experts: Stonemasons Mike Welling and Mark Fuir Investigate Nolan’s Cross

In the ongoing quest for answers, Rick Lagina, Charles Barkhouse, and Jack Begley, along with local stonemasons Mike Welling and Mark Fuir, have been called upon to examine the intriguing rock formation. Their task is to determine whether the stones, particularly the “Headstone,” were deliberately carved and shaped by human hands. Upon inspecting the formation, the stonemasons were struck by the unnatural smoothness of certain surfaces, especially at the bottom of the “Headstone.” The unusual texture of the granite, when compared to the rough surfaces of the surrounding boulders, led the experts to conclude that the stone had likely been manipulated or transported over long distances.

Welling and Fuir speculated that the smooth surface may have been the result of dragging the stone over rough terrain, potentially during its transport to the cross’s location. The idea that such massive stones could have been moved in ancient times raises new questions about the advanced techniques used by the builders of the cross and the purpose of their careful construction.

The Search Expands: New Discoveries and the Importance of Nolan’s Property

With Fred Nolan’s passing, his son Tom Nolan granted Rick Lagina and the team access to his father’s 16-acre property, which includes several key areas where Fred made some of the most significant discoveries related to the Oak Island mystery. For the first time in years, the team is exploring previously restricted locations, including the area surrounding Nolan’s Cross. As the team begins their search on Lot 12, the discovery of an ancient dumpsite—first identified by Fred Nolan—is a significant step forward in uncovering the past.

This dumpsite, thought to contain artifacts linked to the original construction of the Money Pit, has yielded a range of exciting finds. Among them are pieces of pottery, which could provide valuable clues about the people who lived on Oak Island centuries ago. Additionally, the team has discovered decorative hinges, which could be connected to the missing chests once owned by pirate Captain James Anderson. These artifacts, when examined together, suggest that Oak Island’s history is far more complex and layered than previously understood, possibly involving treasure hunters, pirates, or other groups with significant historical relevance.

Ring Bolt Discovery: A Possible Link to the Past

In another key discovery, the team located an iron ring bolt embedded in a large stone near the old apple tree on Nolan’s property. This discovery is particularly significant because Tom Nolan confirmed that the ring bolt was part of a stone pathway he remembered from his childhood. The confirmation of the ring bolt ties back to Fred Nolan’s earlier work, which indicated that the stone pathway may extend further into the island’s uplands. The team believes the ring bolt could point to the existence of an ancient road or a site where something of great importance was once stored or transported.

The discovery of the ring bolt could potentially lead the team to new breakthroughs in their quest for the Oak Island treasure. The presence of such a stone pathway may indicate that the island’s original builders invested considerable effort in constructing a route leading to an undiscovered location. If the path extends towards the Money Pit, it could be a clue to the treasure’s location—or, perhaps, a mechanism designed to protect it.

The Oak Island Puzzle: A Mystery that Grows Deeper

As Rick and Marty Lagina, along with their team, continue their exploration of Oak Island, they find themselves piecing together a larger puzzle, each new discovery offering a piece of the mystery. The island is described as a “thousand-piece puzzle with 500 pieces missing,” and the team is determined to fill in the gaps. From the intriguing formation of Nolan’s Cross to the potential link between pottery, hinges, and the construction of the Money Pit, every new clue seems to point towards something profound buried deep within the island’s soil.

The mystery of Oak Island has captivated the imaginations of treasure hunters, archaeologists, and historians for centuries. The discovery of Nolan’s Cross and the ongoing excavation of Fred Nolan’s property only deepen the mystery, raising more questions than answers. What was the purpose of the stone formations? Who were the people responsible for the construction of the Money Pit and the cross? Could the treasure—if it exists—be connected to ancient civilizations, pirates, or even the Knights Templar?

In the coming months and years, further exploration and excavation may yield more answers. But for now, the Oak Island mystery remains as enigmatic as ever, with each new discovery contributing to the growing legend of hidden treasures, deadly traps, and the potential for a breakthrough that will change the course of history.

As the team digs deeper, one thing is certain: the Oak Island puzzle is far from solved, and the search for treasure and truth continues, one stone at a time.