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What is Chappell Vault? 'The Curse of Oak Island' crew mocked for metal discovery in Chappell Vault

'The Curse of Oak Island' crew mocked as archaeologists suggest a 'unknown' artifcat may be a piece of the treasure vault

NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: In the latest episode of 'The Curse of Oak Island' Season 11, geologist Terry Matheson and the rest of the borehole drill crew in the Money Pit region recover a lump of metal. It remains unclear what the item is, but Terry stated on the Tuesday episode, "That could be a piece of the treasure vault," prompting viewers to roll their eyes at such bold statements.

Marty Lagina and his son, Alex, joined other team members this week at borehole H-8, where they anticipated discovering evidence of the Chappell Vault somewhere below 180 feet. The Chappell Vault is connected to an excavation by William Chappell, who discovered an axe, an anchor fluke, and a pick while investigating the island in the 1930s.

This season, the Lagina brothers will closely explore the dig site for more riches or hints. Terry and his team have been recently focused on hunting for the Chappell Vault, so this discovery might be related to that pursuit. At one point, the guys discover a "pretty solid chunk of metal." That might be a fragment from the treasure vault.

On X, fans mocked the discovery and speedy jumping to conclusion writing, " Metal which is OBVIOUSLY from the treasure vault, right? SMDH." Another user chimed in, "Or it could be metal used for ANYTHING OTHER THAN A TREASURE VAULT." 

One user sighed, "A new day on Oak Island is the same as any old day. Unfocused. Illogical jumping around in areas where there isn’t any possible treasure Considering junk to be treasure Marty & Rick should be taken off as the lead diggers because obviously they are incompetent." A fourth user quipped, "maybe treasure Charles.. yeah; whatever."

One user wrote, "Anyone else need these archeologists to work faster?" "How many people do we need to examine this plus??" asked another.

The remaining substance, they allege, is part of the plug. Marty believes the plug may have deteriorated and slipped off to one side. If the crew discovered a section of the plug, or spoils, that may have pushed the Chappell Vault farther below when the H-8 caisson was first excavated in 2017, it might indicate that they are nearing locating a chest of assets.

What is Money Pit in 'The Curse of Oak Island'?

The Money Pit, situated on the east side of Oak Island, is—or was—a more than 100 feet deep. According to island legend, it first caught the attention of a local youth in 1795, who noticed a depression in the earth and began digging with some pals, only to uncover a man-made shaft with wooden platforms every 10 feet down to a depth of 90 feet.

The Laginas reference this story in Season 1's opening episode, mentioning "teenagers" discovering evidence of the riches "200 years ago." The precise location of the shaft has been obscured since a chaotic expedition in the 1960s collapsed many tunnels dug around the original Money Pit, leading to the accumulation of clay, saltwater, mud, and other debris. Nowadays, the Lagina brothers excavate in areas they believe are close to the original pit, as well as other sites on the island.

And, like numerous treasure hunters before them, Rick and Marty have encountered apparent booby traps: tunnels constructed underground at different depths with the aim of flooding the shaft with water and preventing seekers from digging deeper. According to The Oak Island Encyclopedia, a 500-foot-long tunnel from neighboring Smith's Cove ensures that whenever the water is pumped out of the pit, it refills.

What did 'The Curse of Oak Island' team find in Money Pit so far?

Many treasure seekers believe they've drilled into a massive vault over a hundred feet deep in the Money Pit. Most of the items unearthed from the pit's surroundings thus far hold more historical than monetary value. Some objects offer tantalizing clues of undiscovered riches, while others present entirely new mysteries.

Take, for instance, the fibers from non-native coconuts that the Lagina brothers unearthed in Season 1. How should we interpret them? Were they perhaps utilized in an attempt to rig the Pit as a booby trap?

While the majority of the brothers' findings have come from other parts of the island, one of their most exhilarating finds was a lead cross near Smith's Cove, featuring a loop at one end and believed to have been utilized by the Knights Templar. This discovery occurred in Season 5.

Prior to the Laginas, treasure hunters unearthed a remarkable array of items from beneath the pit's depths, including ancient crockery, a peculiar piece of parchment paper, and traces of gold on drill bits. They also found objects that may have been employed to booby-trap the hole, such as stones, wood, and piles of coconut fiber.

Additionally, there are indications of efforts to obstruct the flow of water, likely undertaken by previous treasure hunters. Among the most intriguing discoveries from the pit are numerous coins, some dating back to the 16th century, gold links, and, in a discovery that has confounded treasure hunters and researchers for two centuries, a stone adorned with indecipherable writings.

Who owns 'The Curse of Oak Island's Money Pit?

According to the Oak Island Society, the Lagina brothers and select associates hold ownership of 78% of Oak Island, encompassing the Money Pit. The remaining 22% of the island belongs to its few residents, who reside in summer cottages. Additionally, the island features two permanent dwellings.

New episodes of 'The Curse of Oak Island' Season 11 air on Tuesdays at 9/8 pm ET/PT on History.