Oak Island’s Greatest Discoveries: Are the Lagina Brothers Closer Than Ever to Solving the Mystery?
For more than two centuries, Oak Island has been shrouded in mystery. Since 1795, rumors of buried treasure, elaborate flood tunnels, and even cryptic stone carvings have drawn explorers to the tiny Nova Scotia island. While skeptics argue much of the lore is anecdotal, recent discoveries by Rick and Marty Lagina’s “Fellowship of the Dig” suggest hard evidence may finally be surfacing.
In a special retrospective, we look at the top five finds that have brought the treasure hunters closer than ever to unlocking Oak Island’s secrets.
No. 5 – The Smith’s Cove Slipway
In 2018, the team constructed a massive steel cofferdam around Smith’s Cove to block flood tunnels and search for clues. What they uncovered stunned them: a carefully built wooden structure resembling a slipway or wharf.
Dendrochronology testing dated the timbers to 1771—decades before the discovery of the Money Pit. “For me, this is the biggest thing that’s happened since we started this quest,” said Rick Lagina.
No. 4 – The Mysterious Lead Cross
During Season 5, metal detection expert Gary Drayton unearthed a small lead cross at Smith’s Cove. Initial impressions suggested it was medieval, and scientific testing confirmed the lead likely originated in southern France before the 15th century.
“This looks like something out of the Knights Templar era,” Drayton remarked at the time. The find remains one of the most tantalizing pieces of evidence that Oak Island may be tied to European treasure legends.
No. 3 – The Paved Area in the Swamp
The swamp at Oak Island has long been rumored to be man-made. In 2019, the team drained it once more and uncovered a strange paved stone feature. Testing of wood embedded in the structure yielded dates around 1200 AD.
“Medieval, baby!” exclaimed geoscientist Dr. Ian Spooner, who confirmed the discovery was no natural formation.
No. 2 – The Hidden Stone Wharf
Continuing their swamp excavations, the team later uncovered what appeared to be a massive stone wharf or platform, completely submerged within the bog. Spooner dated the feature at least 300 years old, providing further proof that the swamp was artificially engineered.
Its purpose remains unknown, but many believe it could have been used to load or hide treasure shipments.
No. 1 – Silver in the Money Pit
In perhaps the most groundbreaking scientific breakthrough on Oak Island, Dr. Spooner and chemist Dr. Matt Luqman analyzed water samples from boreholes drilled into the Money Pit area.
The results? Elevated levels of silver deep underground, suggesting a significant cache of precious metal remains hidden. “It’s not a handful of silver,” said one team member. “It’s a Gerhardt dump truck full.”
What Comes Next?
While physical treasure remains elusive, the fellowship’s discoveries over the past decade are undeniable. From medieval artifacts to man-made structures and scientific proof of silver underground, the evidence continues to mount.
“We’re closer than ever,” said Marty Lagina. “One day soon, Oak Island will give up its secrets.”
📰The hunt for Oak Island’s treasure continues in the next season, as Rick, Marty, and their team push deeper into the swamp and Money Pit.