Metal-detecting expert Gary Drayton and his crew have once again stirred excitement on Oak Island after unearthing what could be the entrance to a long-lost tunnel system near the swamp’s eastern boundary.
Working alongside geoscientist Dr. Ian Spooner and archaeologists Dr. Aaron Taylor and Miriam Amarald, the team discovered an embedded signal in a stone wall. Upon excavation, they uncovered a large caster wheel, buried deep beneath the ground. Drayton hypothesizes that the wheel might have been used during earlier tunneling operations — potentially by the original depositors of the treasure or by 19th-century searchers.
“It’s a major clue,” Drayton said. “It ties right in with the theory that there’s a hidden infrastructure beneath our feet.”
This finding adds to growing evidence of historic tunneling equipment previously unearthed on the island. The team has secured the artifact for further analysis, seeking clues as to its origin and purpose.
Meanwhile, further shoreline metal detecting yielded two more significant finds: a 17th-century officer’s uniform button and a small Maravedí coin, similar to one uncovered in a past season finale. These items raise questions about a possible early military presence on the island, potentially linked to the buried treasure.
And if that weren’t enough, a pair of King Charles II Britannia coins, one clearly dated 1771, were found beneath rock and pyrite near the shore, suggesting that those seeking — or hiding — treasure may have left more than just tools behind.
OAK ISLAND’S TREASURE LICENSE: WHO GETS THE GOLD?
With excitement mounting, speculation is rising about who would legally lay claim to the treasure should it be found. Under Canada’s Treasure Trove License, 90% of any discovery would go to the finders — in this case, Rick and Marty Lagina’s team — while 10% is retained by the government.
Marty Lagina warned, however, that multiple claimants may emerge, some citing genealogical links or historical rights. Still, the Lagina brothers are positioned to retain the lion’s share of any haul, should the search succeed.
THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR: HISTORY OR MYTH?
Recent excavations at Tintagel Castle have uncovered a stone bearing the inscription “Artognou,” sparking renewed debate over the existence of King Arthur. Though some scholars dismiss it as coincidence, others argue it supports the theory that Arthur was a real warrior-king who inspired centuries of myth.
Other sites, such as Cadbury Castle in Somerset, are also under renewed scrutiny. The hill fort matches Camelot’s descriptions in both structure and strategic location. Excavations have revealed signs of battle, ornate relics, and symbols linked to Arthurian legends — all dating to the time Arthur is said to have ruled.
At Glastonbury Abbey, monks centuries ago claimed to have found Arthur and Queen Guinevere’s graves after a devastating fire. A burial site marked with the phrase “Here lies buried the renowned King Arthur and Guinevere in the Isle of Avalon” was reportedly unearthed between two ancient pyramids.
Whether these discoveries constitute definitive proof or compelling myth remains to be seen, but public interest continues to soar as archaeology and folklore intertwine.
NEXT WEEK’S FEATURE
“The Avalon Hypothesis: Could Magic and Myth Meet in the Moors?”
Don’t miss our exclusive investigation into the mystical geography of Britain’s ancient past.
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