Oak Island Enigma Deepens: 17th-Century Shears and Lead Artifacts Unearthed on Lot 5 Amid Roman Coin Connections
The enduring mystery of Oak Island took another intriguing turn this week as treasure hunters Rick Lagina, Gary Drayton, and their team uncovered artifacts on Lot 5 that could point to European presence centuries before the infamous Money Pit’s discovery in 1795. The finds, including a curiously shaped lead piece and what were initially mistaken for horse tack but later identified as 17th-century shears, add layers to the island’s puzzle of ancient visitors and potential treasure depositors.
The expedition focused on an area east of where six ancient Roman coins were previously found—coins expert Sandy Campbell dates between 1,500 and 2,000 years old, yet possibly circulated in Europe until the 1400s. “Roman coins on an island in the North Atlantic. There’s such a puzzle,” remarked Lagina during the search. The team, using metal detectors, first located an elongated lead artifact, heavy and potentially linked to a medieval lead cross recovered earlier in the vicinity. Drayton speculated it might match older lead pieces, prompting plans for scanning by archaeologist Emma Culligan.
Excitement escalated with the discovery of two iron fragments, initially thought to be a horse bridle cheek piece. “That’s got to be raw iron, and an oldie,” Drayton noted, suggesting it could relate to medieval or earlier activity. Historical records indicate Lot 5 was not used for farming or grazing pre-1795, raising questions about who might have brought horses—or other equipment—to the island. The pieces showed fractures, implying they broke from a larger object.
In the research lab, Culligan and Laird Niven analyzed the finds. Cross-sections revealed the fragments were not connected as bridle parts but were handles from scissors or shears. Compositional analysis detected chlorine and sodium, indicating prolonged saltwater exposure, with minimal impurities suggesting pre-blast furnace production—dating to the late 1600s or 1700s, likely of UK origin. Stylistic comparisons to historical shears confirmed a mid-17th-century design. “That explains the sheer excitement we felt when we found these,” quipped Drayton.
The lead piece’s connection to the medieval cross remains speculative, but its proximity to the Roman coins fuels theories of early transatlantic voyages. “Every artifact we find tells a story,” Niven emphasized. “With finds like these, even though they’re quite puzzling in the moment, the next find might help explain it.” The team plans further metal detecting on Lot 5, a site Lagina calls “incredibly difficult to understand” alongside the Money Pit area.
These discoveries bolster the narrative of Oak Island as a hub of pre-Columbian activity, possibly tied to Templars, Vikings, or other explorers. As the search continues, questions linger: Do these artifacts connect to the Money Pit’s legendary treasure? The Oak Island Observer will monitor developments closely.