Oak Island Divers Unearth Pottery, Wood, and Possible Ancient Coin in Underwater Hunt

Oak Island, Nova Scotia — The mystery of Oak Island deepened this week as divers and researchers uncovered tantalizing new clues both in the swamp and underground. From pottery and hand-carved timbers to what may be a centuries-old coin, the discoveries add to a growing body of evidence suggesting early human activity on the island — and possibly a link to long-rumored buried treasure.

Underwater Discovery Near Swamp

Diver Tony Sampson, supported by underwater imaging expert Ken De Boer and members of the Lagina team, combed the shallows north of Oak Island with a metal detector and a tethered ROV camera.

Within minutes, Sampson spotted fragments of hand-carved wood and pottery marked with blue designs — artifacts resembling those unearthed on Lot 5 that date back to the 17th century.

The dive took a dramatic turn when Sampson located what appeared to be a disk-like object with a hole in the middle. Initial impressions suggested it could be a coin, possibly similar to the 1,000-year-old Chinese coin previously found on the island in 2020.

Provincial rules prevent the immediate recovery of artifacts without a special permit, meaning the potential coin remains on the seafloor for now. Still, team members expressed excitement at the concentration of items found underwater, calling it “a successful dive” and a strong case for further excavation permits.

Work Continues at the Garden Shaft

Meanwhile, in the island’s Money Pit area, contractors continued to expand the refurbished “garden shaft” to a depth of 87 feet. The shaft, dating back to the 18th century, has shown signs of infiltration from underground water. Crews are using specialized urethane compounds to seal the leaks.

The ultimate goal is to reach a tunnel carbon-dated to the 17th century that appears to run toward an area rich in gold and silver deposits, dubbed the “baby blob.”

Rick and Marty Lagina joined engineers underground to inspect the site, describing the effort as critical to solving the Oak Island puzzle.

The Mystery of “Aladdin’s Cave”

Elsewhere, a borehole known as KL14.5 led investigators into what appears to be a vast underground cavern. High-definition cameras revealed at least 10 feet of open space — far larger than any void previously detected.

At one point, cameras appeared to capture a square-shaped object resembling a bolt, sparking debate over whether the cavern shows signs of human construction.

The team plans to deploy sonar in the coming days to map the cave’s dimensions and search for potential tunnels. “This could be a treasure location,” one member said, noting the importance of man-made evidence.

Metallic Object Detected in C1 Shaft

As evening fell, diver Mike Huntley descended more than 170 feet into the C1 shaft, where previous video had captured a mysterious gold-colored object.

Armed with a metal detector, Huntley reported multiple positive hits in the cavity. At one point, he described feeling a “rock-solid, smooth and rounded” object embedded in rubble — possibly metallic.

Unable to remove it by hand, Huntley marked the location for future exploration. If confirmed, it could be the same gold-like target captured on camera last year.

Centuries-Old Puzzle Endures

For more than 200 years, Oak Island has drawn treasure hunters in search of rumored riches, from pirate gold to religious relics. Each new discovery — whether timber, pottery, or coins — fuels debate over the island’s true history.

As Rick and Marty Lagina’s team prepares for further dives, sonar mapping, and shaft drilling, the central question remains: are they on the verge of solving the world’s most enduring treasure mystery, or simply uncovering remnants of early settlers?

For now, Oak Island keeps its secrets buried a little deeper.