EXCITING DISCOVERY of Manmade Features (Season 12) | The Curse of Oak Island

Comprehensive Report on the Recent Discoveries at Oak Island

Date: February 2025

Location: Oak Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Team: Rick and Marty Lagina, Craig Tester, Alex, Laird Niven, Emma Culligan, Gary Drayton, and the rest of the Oak Island investigation team.

Introduction to the Investigation:

The Oak Island mystery, which has captivated treasure hunters and historians for over two centuries, has taken an exciting turn this week. Brothers Rick and Marty Lagina, along with their partner Craig Tester, have led their team to a breakthrough that might shed light on the long-standing puzzle of hidden treasure on the island. Their focus has shifted to a newly discovered feature in the northern region of the island’s triangle-shaped swamp—an area known for its high concentration of mysterious findings.

The team has uncovered two significant man-made features in this area: a stone pathway and what appears to be a small vault-like structure submerged in the swamp. These discoveries have raised new questions about the island’s history and whether these features are linked to the rumored treasure hidden by pirates or other entities in the past.

Discoveries and Excavations:

The Stone Pathway and Vault-like Structure:

The stone pathway found in the northern part of the swamp is the first major clue. Its size and the tight distribution of rocks suggest that it was deliberately placed rather than forming naturally. These stones seem carefully arranged, likely indicating that they were meant to create a path or a road of some kind.

In addition to the pathway, a mysterious structure resembling a vault has also been uncovered in the same area. Initially submerged, the structure’s purpose remains unclear, but it is thought to possibly be a storage vault or a hiding place. The team is particularly curious about the potential connection between this vault and the treasure that has eluded discoverers for centuries. Could this vault be part of a complex system used to safeguard valuable items—maybe even the Spanish silver coins rumored to have been found by former landowner Anthony Graves?

Historical Context of Anthony Graves:

In 1857, Anthony Graves, a farmer and landowner, bought a significant portion of Oak Island and built his home near the swamp. Although Graves was not directly involved in the treasure hunts that took place around the Money Pit, stories circulated that he discovered a large quantity of Spanish silver coins on the island. The discovery of this vault-like structure, along with the stone path, raises the possibility that these features were constructed during Graves’ time, possibly as a secure place to store the treasure he reportedly found.

While Graves did not make a formal record of his findings, the stories about his discovery have persisted for more than 150 years, giving this vault-like structure newfound importance. Could it be a safe deposit box built by Graves himself to hide his discovered treasure?

The Search for Artifacts:

As the team continued to explore the area surrounding the vault-like structure, they unearthed a variety of objects, many of which were perplexing in nature.

• Wrought Iron Hook: One of the first objects uncovered was a wrought iron hook, likely part of the vault or structure. The team speculated that this could have been used to secure the vault or contain valuables within it.
• Chest Handle: Perhaps the most intriguing find was a metal handle, which appeared to be from a chest. This artifact seemed to suggest that the vault was intended to store something valuable—possibly hidden treasure. The handle’s design and condition raised further questions: Was this chest once filled with Spanish silver coins or other precious items?

The team was eager to investigate these artifacts further, as they might hold the key to understanding the true purpose of the vault-like structure. Was it indeed a hiding place for treasure, or was it something else entirely?

Analysis and Expert Consultation:

Archaeologist and Archaeometallurgist Involvement:

The following day, Rick Lagina led a team of experts, including archaeologist Laird Niven and archaeometallurgist Emma Culligan, to analyze the artifacts recovered from the swamp. Emma used advanced techniques, including CT scanning, to closely examine the objects. The results provided important insights into the age and composition of the items.

• Handle Analysis: Emma identified the handle as being made of wrought iron, but what stood out was the wood-grain-like structure visible in the metal. This suggested that the handle might have originally been attached to a wooden chest, further supporting the theory that this vault was once used to store valuable items.
• Date Range of Artifacts: Using metallurgical analysis, Emma and Laird concluded that the hook and pipe likely date to the early to mid-1800s, a period consistent with the time that Graves lived on the island. However, other pieces of the vault structure, such as the crank handle, appeared to date back to the late 1700s—well before Graves’ time. This discovery was a significant revelation. It suggested that the vault, or at least some of its components, may have existed prior to Graves’ known occupation of the island, which raised further questions: Could this feature predate Graves’ involvement? If so, who might have built it?

Possible Pre-Graves Origin:

The team’s findings suggest that this vault-like structure could be much older than previously thought. It could even be linked to the original hidden treasure that sparked the legend of Oak Island. The presence of items that predate Anthony Graves’ tenure on the island opens up new avenues of investigation. Could the vault have been part of a treasure system established by pirates, or was it used for another purpose entirely?

Next Steps and Further Excavation:

The Oak Island team agreed that further excavation is necessary to determine the full extent of the vault-like structure and the other features in the area. The remaining questions about the vault’s origin, its purpose, and what other items might still be buried within it are central to the investigation.

Rick Lagina stressed the importance of continuing the search to uncover more clues. “There is a purpose to this feature, and I believe it has to do with Anthony Graves,” he stated. “This may have been his safety deposit box, and we need to determine exactly what he was trying to protect.” The team’s enthusiasm to continue their exploration is palpable, as they know they are on the cusp of a major discovery.

Conclusion:

As the team moves forward with their investigation, the latest discoveries at Oak Island have added another layer of mystery to an already complex puzzle. The stone pathway, vault-like structure, and the artifacts recovered suggest a deeper historical context than previously believed. Could these features be linked to a treasure hidden long before Anthony Graves arrived on the island? Is it possible that the vault was used to conceal a treasure that had been hidden by pirates or other early settlers?

With each new clue, the Oak Island team grows closer to uncovering the truth. The artifacts recovered provide important evidence that may one day help solve the mystery of the island’s elusive treasure. As Rick Lagina remarked, “Sometimes, you have to get dirty to find treasure, and we’re willing to do that.”

The investigation into Oak Island’s secrets is far from over, and the team remains hopeful that future excavations will yield even more answers. With the swamp still holding many mysteries, the next chapter in the Oak Island story is sure to be filled with even more intrigue and discovery.