Legends of lost treasure, ancient visitors, and deadly mysteries continue to swirl around Oak Island, where treasure hunters remain locked in a centuries-old quest to uncover what lies beneath the island’s surface.
From the lost riches of the Knights Templar to rumors of pirate gold and Norse expeditions long before Columbus, Oak Island has lured explorers for generations. But recent discoveries suggest the mystery may reach even further back in time—to the days of the Roman Empire.
A Deadly Descent into Borehole 10X
One of the most perilous chapters in Oak Island’s history centers on Borehole 10X, a deep, water-filled shaft that has tested the resolve of even the most seasoned explorers. Dan Blankenship, one of Oak Island’s most dedicated searchers, spearheaded operations in the 1980s to probe the shaft’s depths—235 feet deep and beginning with a 181-foot reinforced vertical drop.
Divers Harvey Morash and Michael Garts were brought in by the Lagina brothers to explore 10X. But the dive nearly ended in tragedy when communication with Michael failed moments after Harvey’s descent. Panic erupted topside as crew members struggled to reach him in the dark, murky shaft filled with sediment and jagged debris. Eventually, a flicker of light from below signaled Harvey’s return. He had been trapped momentarily behind a 20-ton steel drill bar lodged in the tunnel and narrowly escaped.
The dive reaffirmed one truth: 10X is as treacherous as it is mysterious.
Roman Relic or Clever Hoax?
In a revelation that could rewrite history, team member Charles Barkhouse presented a Roman-style sword allegedly discovered off the coast of Mahone Bay in the 1940s. A local family found the artifact while scalloping illegally. The bronze or brass weapon, believed to be ceremonial, bore the likeness of Hercules—a symbol favored by high-ranking Roman officers.
Tests conducted at St. Mary’s University were inconclusive. While elements such as copper, tin, lead, and arsenic were consistent with Roman metallurgy, the sword’s casting style raised questions. Some scholars suggest it may be a more recent reproduction, inspired by Roman designs and possibly placed on the island to add to its mystique.
Layers of History Unfolding
As archaeologists Jack Begley and Fiona Steele excavated near the shoreline, new finds added to the island’s growing inventory of artifacts: coins from the 14th to 18th centuries, gold-plated buttons, silver trinkets, and a gem-like hinge believed to belong to a treasure chest.
Nearby, wood samples pulled from deep within the swamp matched materials found over 100 feet below the infamous Money Pit, suggesting a possible ancient structure spanning both sites. One find, a gemstone-like object discovered in Lot 5, contained high levels of lead—typical of 18th-century imitation jewelry known as “paste.”
A Viking Connection?
The Laginas’ team unearthed ship fragments and a section of ship railing carbon-dated to as early as the 8th century, fueling theories that Vikings visited Oak Island long before Columbus. Dr. Doug Simmons posits that the swamp itself may have been a hidden harbor, later altered to conceal something of value.
Modern metal detection equipment continues to reveal timber beams, ship parts, and what may be a wooden dam buried in the swamp. Geoscientist Dr. Ian Spooner confirmed some of the wood predates the 1500s—possibly linking it to the island’s elusive Stone Road.
Unanswered Questions and Ancient Warnings
Deep inside the Money Pit and its surrounding tunnels, the team has found carved wooden structures, strange gaps in the passageways, and traces of ancient toolwork. These eerie discoveries—paired with unusual formations in the Garden Shaft—hint that someone, long ago, was attempting to hide or protect something of great value.
Marty and Rick Lagina, who purchased majority control of Oak Island Tours, Inc. in 2006, remain committed to a thorough and respectful investigation. For them, the treasure hunt isn’t just about gold—it’s about unlocking a historical mystery that could change our understanding of who first touched North America’s shores.
As weather worsens and time runs out each digging season, the crew soldiers on. Because if the legends are true, Oak Island may still hold secrets the world is not ready to discover.
