Excavations resumed this spring near the historic Garden Shaft, where brothers Rick and Marty Lagina’s team, alongside Duma Mining Company and a noted archaeological team, drilled borehole D‑05‑N27. At approximately 11 feet deep, workers unearthed unexpected wooden fragments and a peculiar rectangular structure — prompting a full-scale excavation at Lot 5 this summer.
Geologist Dr. Ian Spooner was quick to note that wood appearing at such depth suggests “man‑made structure or tunnel.” If confirmed, it could be part of a complex network, perhaps connecting to the legendary Money Pit.
Lot 5: History Revealed in the Dirt
On Lot 5, archaeologist Helen Sheldon uncovered a deliberate, tunnel‑like construct: stone‑lined, pressed, and cut in a rectangular shape. Termed “Disco” by the team, this intriguing formation has reinvigorated interest in early Oak Island engineering — possibly predating previously known features.
Metal‑detector specialist Gary Drayton and Peter Fornetti recently discovered cribbing spikes and iron artifacts, characteristic of 17th- to 18th-century tools. Carbon dating now underway aims to determine whether “Disco” links to the Money Pit or represents an even earlier phase.
Lateral Tunneling Strategy: Cracking the Code
Traditional vertical drilling has given way to a new lateral tunneling approach just south of Garden Shaft. The objective? Access a suspected horizontal tunnel—dubbed “Baby Blob”—believed to sit around 95–100 feet deep. With permissions in hand, the team hopes lateral access will bypass flood-prone zones, and perhaps reveal a hidden man-made cavity.
Duma Mining’s involvement ensures reinforced safety measures. Rick Lagina, surveying the site, remarked: “We’re not just digging ground—we’re peering into history.”
Soft Soil and Tunnels: The Water-Woe Conundrum
In a nearby Money Pit core, soft soils at around 53 feet suggest another potential water‑inundated tunnel. Despite stabilization challenges, Duma Mining confirmed readiness to proceed to depths up to 98 feet, investigating silver, copper, and possibly even gold veins—all hinted at in earlier metal detector scans.
Traces of the Past: Artifacts From Across Ages
The past seasons have yielded astonishing finds:
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Coconut fibers at Smith’s Cove—exotic material not native to Nova Scotia.
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Lead cross inscribed with Templar-style loop dated to the 13th–14th century, discovered in Season 5.
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Swedish granite stone found at about 90 feet in former searches, carved with mystery symbols.
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Human remains from the 17th century—DNA suggesting one European and one Middle Eastern origin.
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Pottery shards at 192 feet depth—hand-painted, Staffordshire-style, and Chinese porcelain replicas from 1700–1800.
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Copper object with mixed-metal composition found at 80–120 feet near “Baby Blob.”
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Spanish‑style iron spike possibly dating to a galleon’s deck spike, hinting at maritime involvement.
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Stone wall carbon‑dated between 1474 and 1638—unprecedented early construction predating most recorded activity.
These elements, along with mysterious metal coins, brooches, and ornate artefacts, point toward not only treasure—and perhaps its deliberate concealment—but a hidden prehistoric history.
New Mission: To Reveal or to Rediscover?
As the latest borehole and side-tunnel efforts gather steam, the mission has crystallized: uncover the interwoven secrets of Oak Island’s human-made structures, map out the possible tunnel network, and determine whether these are components of a centuries-old labyrinth or engineering marvel—rather than a pirate stash.
Rick Lagina asserts: “Even if we don’t find the treasure, we’re digging up the island’s untold stories.” And with every fragment, spike, and wood slab recovered, the island’s narrative grows richer: medieval, colonial, and perhaps pre-colonial.
This newspaper will continue tracking excavation updates through Lot 5 and Garden Shaft. Next month, watch for updates on lateral tunneling progress, carbon-dating results, and whether “Disco” leads to a hidden chamber—or perhaps, the treasure itself.
Stay tuned. The island may yield its secrets yet—for history’s sake… and maybe something more.
