In what may prove to be one of the most significant developments in recent Oak Island history, Rick Lagina, Gary Drayton, and the Fellowship team have uncovered artifacts on Lot 5 that could rewrite the narrative of European contact with North America.
The week’s headline discovery: a fifth Roman coin found in the same area where four others were recently unearthed. According to numismatist Sandy Campbell, three of these coins date as far back as 300 BC — and all are of Roman origin.
“I’m overdue for a coin,” Drayton joked just moments before finding it. His detector lit up the dirt once again, marking yet another strike in an area fast becoming the island’s most archaeologically rich.
Lot 5 has long puzzled the team, both for its strange manmade depressions and for the age and style of the relics recovered from its soil. The latest finds include a decorative metal strap, possibly from a chest, and a large chunk of hand-forged iron, believed to be a tool or fastener.
“It looks like some kind of strap,” said Drayton, holding up a bowed piece of metal. “A lot of these were used on boxes or chests.” Lagina agreed: “That would be cool. Especially if it ties into that depression over there.”
Another signal led to the discovery of a heavy, iron object. “It’s chunky iron,” said Drayton. “Could be a rosette-type fastener.” The team speculated it might have belonged to a long-lost structure or even a mining operation.
Seeking expert insight, the team turned to blacksmith and artifact analyst Carmen Legge, who met them at the Oak Island Interpretive Centre. His findings were sobering — and exciting.
“This is old. Much older than I expected,” Legge said, holding the iron fragment. He identified it as possibly the broken end of a chisel used for mining or tunneling, likely dating back centuries. “It’s a foot long originally. Could’ve been used for serious work underground.”
Even more intriguing was the ornate strap. Legge called it a “bowtie strap,” a decorative piece likely attached to wooden chests, and pointed out its French cultural influence — possibly pre-dating the 17th century.
“That’s exceedingly interesting,” Rick Lagina remarked. “Especially considering what we know about the French presence here — and Zena’s map.”
The reference points back to the late Zena Halpern, whose controversial maps and theories connected Oak Island to French Templars, Freemasons, and secret voyages between the 12th and 14th centuries. A French-style strap, combined with Roman coins and the mysterious lead cross previously found (sourced from southern France), gives renewed weight to these theories.
“The items coming out of Oak Island — I haven’t seen anything like them anywhere else,” Legge said.
Rick Lagina summed it up: “This work — the original depositional work — it may have started incredibly early. We just need to fill in the gaps more precisely.”
With more digging ahead, Lot 5 continues to offer compelling questions — and perhaps the answers to the world’s longest-running treasure mystery.
