Oak Island Unearths Rare 17th-Century Musket Relic — New Roman Numeral Discovery Stuns Archaeologists
The mystery of Oak Island has deepened once again. During a recent dig on Lot 5, the Curse of Oak Island team uncovered what experts are calling one of the most historically significant artifacts ever found on the island — a ramrod guide from a musket possibly dating back to the 17th or early 18th century.
The find, which initially appeared to be gun-related, quickly evolved into one of the most intriguing archaeological revelations in the show’s history.
Discovery at Lot 5: “Our Chance to Shine”
The breakthrough began when Rick Lagina and metal-detecting expert Gary Drayton turned their attention to a circular depression on Lot 5 — a site long rumored to conceal clues about the island’s oldest human activity.
“This is our chance to shine,” Gary said as his detector emitted rapid signals across the site.
Hours of digging in the cold, misty air paid off when the duo uncovered a lead shot, followed soon after by a shell casing, suggesting potential 17th-century military activity.
“This area’s been silent for centuries,” Rick remarked. “Every beep feels like a voice from the past.”
“It Looks Like a Gun Sight” — A Clue from the Past
Their persistence was rewarded again when the detector buzzed over a copper-toned object buried deep in the soil. Gary knelt, brushed away the dirt, and said,
“It looks gun-related — almost like a sight.”
Rick called in archaeologist Helen Sheldon, who examined the find and noted that it “held the key to unknown stories.” The piece, weathered by time, seemed to connect to earlier discoveries of militaria on the island.
The find was taken to the island’s interpretive lab for expert analysis.
Scientific Revelation: “It’s a Ramrod Guide for a Musket”
The next day, the team gathered around as archaeologist Laird Niven and archaeometallurgist Emma Culligan examined the object. Using microscopic analysis and metallurgical imaging, Emma confirmed what few had dared to hope:
“It’s a ramrod guide for a musket.”
Her words silenced the room. The relic — part of a long, smoothbore musket — dated between 1600 and 1800, the era of French and British colonial conflict in the Maritimes.
“This would have been attached beneath the barrel of a soldier’s firearm,” Emma explained. “It tells us there was military presence here — possibly centuries before any documented treasure hunt.”
Roman Numerals Shock the Team
The discovery’s significance deepened during a CT scan of the artifact using the SkyScan 1273 imaging system. The non-destructive X-ray revealed something no one expected — Roman numerals etched inside the metal.
Rick Lagina leaned closer to the monitor and whispered,
“The little hole just got big.”
The numbers appeared faint but deliberate — a marking style never before seen on any Oak Island artifact.
Team member Craig Tester remarked, “Does that read VIII? It looks intentional.”
Roman numerals had previously been found carved into U-shaped wooden structures at Smith’s Cove in the 1970s — structures later linked to the island’s flood tunnel system. The repetition of these markings reignited theories that Oak Island’s constructions were part of an engineered network, not random debris.
Connecting the Dots: A Hidden Military Past?
The musket component’s discovery, combined with the shell casing and lead shot, suggests Oak Island once hosted armed activity — possibly a garrison or landing party.
Could these artifacts belong to Duc d’Anville’s 1746 expedition, which historically sailed for Nova Scotia and was rumored to have buried supplies and valuables nearby?
Rick Lagina posed the question aloud:
“Could we be standing where they buried more than just treasure?”
From Smith’s Cove to Lot 5 — A Pattern Emerges
Under the guidance of Rick and his brother Marty Lagina, the team reviewed archival records of earlier discoveries, including the 65-foot U-shaped wooden structure found by the late Dan Blankenship. Both that find and the Lot 5 artifact bore uncanny similarities — alignment, shape, and now, Roman numeral markings.
The evidence suggests that Lot 5 may connect to the flood tunnel system protecting the legendary Money Pit, reinforcing long-standing theories of a deliberate engineering design across the island.
A Discovery That Changes Everything
“There have never been Roman numerals on any other artifact up to date,” Rick stated, his voice echoing in the lab.
For Gary Drayton, the discovery rekindled the team’s determination.
“This gives us hope,” he said. “We’re one step closer to the truth.”
The musket relic, once thought to be just another rusted object, now stands as a key piece of evidence linking Oak Island to 17th-century European activity — and possibly to the treasure legend itself.
Looking Ahead: The Hunt Continues
The team has since resumed exploration of Lot 5, armed with fresh motivation and new targets flagged by metal detection scans.
As the sun set over Mahone Bay, Rick expressed what many in the global fanbase feel:
“Every artifact, every clue — it’s another step into history. And the island isn’t done speaking yet.”
Editor’s Note:
The musket artifact will undergo further testing to determine its exact origin, composition, and whether the Roman numerals correspond to any known military or ship designations from the 1600s–1700s.
Until then, Oak Island keeps its secrets — whispering, but never fully revealing.