Emma Culligan Finds 400 Years Old Buckle That Could Lead to Oak Island’s Legendary Treasure!

A 400 years old copper artifact uncovered on Lot 5 has the Oak Island Fellowship team buzzing with excitement, raising new questions about the island’s enigmatic past and its possible ties to 17th-century explorers.

Emma Culligan, the team’s resident archaist and metallurgy expert, conducted an in-depth scan of the damaged relic—a snapped copper plate bearing military-style rivets—using the Skyscan 1273 CT scanner. Her analysis revealed the presence of arsenic, zinc, lead, and traces of gold in the artifact’s composition, pointing to an origin as early as the 1600s.

“This could change everything,” Culligan remarked, noting that arsenic use in metallurgy was more common in earlier centuries. “It may predate the discovery of the Money Pit.”

The copper item was found near a rounded stone foundation on Lot 5 by Gary Drayton and Peter Fornetti, who quickly recognized its potential military origins. The find follows other significant Lot 5 discoveries—such as Venetian trade beads and iron tools—which some believe tie back to British naval officer and famed treasure hunter Sir William Phips.

“Every artifact adds a piece to the puzzle,” said Drayton. “This one could be a belt plate, maybe even a name tag—possibly linked to someone who helped bury treasure here.”

Emma Culligan’s rise on the show has been meteoric. Originally from Japan, she moved to Canada to pursue dual degrees in engineering and archaeology. Now, as one of the top analysts on The Curse of Oak Island, she’s become essential to interpreting the island’s metallic mysteries.

As speculation grows about the artifact’s origins—some connecting it to Phips and fellow Freemason Captain Andrew Belcher—the team remains cautious. Researcher Scott Clarke believes the item could support the theory that Concepción shipwreck treasure was relocated to Oak Island in the late 1600s.

Still, the find is far from a smoking gun. “This might be an integral part of the story,” said producer Marty Lagina. “But we need more to confirm it.”

The copper relic joins a growing list of metallic mysteries found on Oak Island, including:

• A 1317 copper coin—suggesting medieval European presence

• 16th-century Spanish coins and copper wire in the Money Pit

• A lead cross bearing Templar-like symbolism

• A Roman sword found offshore, raising ancient civilization theories

Each discovery pulls the curtain back further on the island’s complex history. Is this copper plate the key to unlocking a centuries-old mystery? Or is it merely another clue leading deeper into the legend?

One thing is certain: the search continues, and the answers may be closer than ever before.

Emma Culligan: The Scientist Behind the Scan
Culligan blends engineering and archaeology into a rare specialty: archaeo-metallurgy. She debuted on the show in 2022 and has since become vital to analyzing artifacts with non-invasive tech. Her sharp insights and technical precision are helping shape the future of Oak Island exploration.