Are Lot 5 and Money Pit connected? 'The Curse of Oak Island' team uncovers 'soil sample' with exact match between two sites
NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: The lads from 'The Curse of Oak Island' have unearthed a significant link between the peculiar stone structures on Lot 5 and the famed Money Pit. In this week's episode, titled 'Rick and Mortar,' compelling scientific evidence is presented, solidifying the connection between Lot 5 and the Money Pit. This week's spotlight is primarily on Lot 5, situated on the island's western side, and the two buried stone constructions found there—one circular and one rectangular. These extraordinary stone features capture attention due to their substantial size and intentional concealment.
This appears to be the source of key artifacts recently uncovered. Researchers have found ceramics, coins, and 500-year-old Venetian glass beads. However, most items trace back to the mid-18th century, specifically the 1750s and 60s, decades before the 1795 discovery of the Money Pit. The team suggests Lot 5 served as a "staging area" for depositors burying loot in the Money Pit region.
In the February 13 episode, the team demonstrated the connection between the two locations. Emma Culligan, the chemical composition specialist, stated that the latest sample is "almost an exact match to a Money Pit sample!" Rick Lagina was overheard remarking, "The association that could be made is mind-blowing."
Emma concluded that a peculiar form of artificial dirt recently discovered in the stone foundation on Lot 5 corresponds to others retrieved by the crew around 100 feet underground in the Money Pit region. This is the same area as the potential Treasure Tunnel, which lies many feet below the Garden Shaft.
What was found on Lot 5 of 'The Curse of Oak Island'?
In 2022, Gary Drayton and Rick discovered a Roman Half Coin at the center of Lot 5. Numismatist Sandy Campbell identified it as Roman, dating back to around 300 B.C. The Circular Depression, a man-made feature on Lot 5's seashore, is one of Oak Island's most intriguing structures. In the crew's 2022 investigation, they unearthed not only early 18th-century relics like crockery but also established its circumference at thirteen feet.
This matches the same diameter recorded for the original Money Pit in 1795. The team is eager to explore the depth of this feature and uncover more about its potential contents.
In 2022, a little disk with scalloped edges, known as The Lead Barter Token, was discovered near Lot 5's circular hole. Laser ablation tests suggested a possible link to the 14th-century French lead cross found at Smith's Cove in 2017. This medieval barter token could serve as additional evidence connecting the Knights Templar to the Oak Island mystery.
In the same year, metal detecting specialist Gary and the Laginas uncovered several artifacts near the surface, leading to the discovery of the mystery structure known as The Rectangular Foundation. The archeological team not only confirmed its deliberate burial but also found pipe stems, metal spikes, and crockery dating back to the 1730s.
This aligns with the time frame when the Garden Shaft in the Money Pit is believed to have been constructed, suggesting these items might have been concealed by the same individuals to hide something valuable on Oak Island.
What size is lot 5 on 'The Curse of Oak Island'?
In June 1996, Robert S. Young of Upper Tantallon, Nova Scotia, bought 4 acres (1.6 ha) of Lot Five from Fred Nolan. This piece of land stands as the only pristine area on Oak Island.
Unusual Lot 5 feature linked to 18th-century construction on Garden Shaft of Oak Island
In December, a specialized team of archaeologists focused on two intriguing stone features on Lot 5, an area with no historical evidence of settlements. Despite this, they uncovered two structures now identified as a round stone feature and a rectangular stone feature. Helen Sheldon worked on the mysterious rectangular feature.
The objects discovered there date back to the mid-1700s, aligning with the age of the Garden Shaft, and some predate the first discovery of the Money Pit in 1795. The feature is unique, appearing to have been intentionally buried in an attempt to conceal it. During this exploration, the team discovered an item that seemed to be a link in a chain, possibly used in transporting treasure.
New episodes of 'The Curse of Oak Island' Season 11 air on Tuesdays at 9/8 pm ET/PT on History.