Deeper Than Ever: Inside Oak Island’s Most Explosive Discoveries Yet

A Century-Old Mystery, New Breakthroughs

Oak Island—the name alone stirs curiosity, mystery, and relentless pursuit. For more than a decade, Rick and Marty Lagina, along with their dedicated team, have explored every inch of this fabled island off the coast of Nova Scotia. And now, with a string of stunning discoveries in the Money Pit, swamp, and beyond, it seems they may be closer than ever to unlocking its centuries-old secrets.

The Garden Shaft: A Tunnel to Treasure?

In Season 10, with the reconstruction of the Garden Shaft nearly complete, the team descended into the Money Pit once again. Officials from Dumas Contracting had earlier detected a possible tunnel just 10 feet below the base of the shaft. Rick and Marty, eager to validate the theory, personally ventured underground. Their descent marked a pivotal moment—possibly standing where others had centuries before in pursuit of untold riches.

Gary Drayton, the team’s metal-detecting expert, scanned the shaft’s base and received a promising signal. Two feet beneath the muddy surface, his detector indicated the presence of a non-ferrous metal—possibly silver or copper. Could this finally be evidence of the elusive Oak Island treasure?

Blue Clay and the Quadrilateral Mystery

On Lot 13, northeast of the swamp, the team uncovered a mysterious stone structure dubbed the “Quadrilateral.” Beneath it lay layers of blue clay—the same substance first discovered in 1804 during the original Money Pit excavation. Back then, it served as a waterproof seal, possibly protecting a hidden chamber.

Geoscientist Dr. Ian Spooner was intrigued by the discovery. His analysis revealed different types of clay, possibly affected by heat, indicating that the site had been intentionally manipulated. Stacked boulders further suggested the area might have been sealed—like a “safe”—to protect something of value. Was this structure linked to the original builders of the Money Pit?

900-Year-Old Well Holds Ancient Metal

On Lot 26, archaeologists focused on a 900-year-old stone well—one of the oldest man-made structures found on the island. Dr. Spooner had previously detected high traces of silver in the water, prompting the team to excavate.

Jack Begley led the dig, handing debris to archaeologist Helen Shelton for analysis. Among the finds: a hand-wrought iron nail possibly dating back to the 1700s—perhaps from a sailing vessel, and possibly tied to early treasure activity. Although a later lab analysis ruled out any extraordinary value, the artifact’s age alone adds another layer to Oak Island’s deep historical mystery.

Brass Door Handle Found in Swamp Ramp

At the triangle-shaped swamp, another breakthrough came when Gary Drayton discovered a brass door handle. Believed to be from a ship’s cabinet, the artifact added more weight to the theory that the swamp area may have once served as a covert offloading zone. Over the years, this same area has yielded ship pieces, barrels, and tools—all suggesting a massive transport effort by sea.

Templar Links: From Nova Scotia to Italy

In a surprising international twist, Rick Lagina, his nephews, and Oak Island historian Doug Crowell traveled to Camerano, Italy, where they met with Templar researchers Emiliano Chicchetti and Alberto Ray. The visit was prompted by uncanny similarities between ancient Templar carvings found in Italian caves and symbols discovered on Oak Island—particularly the mysterious lead cross unearthed at Smith’s Cove.

The team toured the Venus Cave and Grande Simonetti cave system, where carvings appeared to match those found on the island’s “Host Stone.” Could Templar knights have crossed the Atlantic, leaving behind clues embedded in the very bedrock of Oak Island?

Roman Coins: Signs of Ancient Visitors?

Among the most debated findings are Roman coins discovered on the island. While some believe they could have been transported much later as ballast or by collectors, others think their presence supports the idea of pre-Columbian transatlantic voyages. Whether evidence of early European contact or not, these coins continue to ignite speculation.

What’s Next for the Lagina Brothers?

With discoveries piling up—from Nolan’s Cross to Spanish coins and ancient symbols—the Lagina brothers are determined to push forward. Even though some finds, like a Roman sword, were later deemed modern replicas, the team remains undeterred.

Each clue, from blue clay to door handles, and every relic in between, brings the team closer to answering Oak Island’s ultimate question: Is there really treasure beneath the island?

Until then, the hunt continues—deeper, bolder, and more mysterious than ever before.