The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 Episode 22: The Tunnel Trap System Connects the Mysteries
History may be on the brink of a rewrite. In the latest episode of The Curse of Oak Island (Season 12, Episode 22), a series of startling discoveries is raising serious questions about the true origins of Oak Island’s buried secrets — and whether the enigmatic Knights of Malta played a direct role.
The episode follows Rick Lagina and the team to the limestone tunnels beneath Valletta, Malta. There, Rick identified chisel marks in the stone and blue-grey clay lining the tunnel walls — both eerily similar to findings inside the Oak Island money pit. That clay, a known waterproofing sealant, matches the material used in the construction of supposed booby-trapped vaults under Nova Scotia’s most mysterious island.
“This isn’t just a coincidence anymore,” Rick commented. “This is architectural DNA — a signature.”
Starburst Button Sparks Historic Revelation
On Oak Island’s Lot 5, archaeologists unearthed a round stone structure unlike anything previously discovered on the island. Among the items recovered was a single button with a distinct starburst design. Initially thought to be a small artifact, military historian Dennis Dharmin confirmed the pattern matched those worn by 17th-century Spanish members of the Knights of Malta.
“The design is unmistakable,” Dharmin stated. “This wasn’t a decorative piece. It was a symbol of rank and order.”
The button was found alongside mortar-like materials matching soil 100 feet beneath the money pit. Experts believe it may serve as a tangible link between Oak Island and the military-religious order that once defended the Mediterranean.
Pottery, Aristocrats, and a Staging Ground
Excavation on Lot 5 also revealed near-intact pottery, including creamware, slipware, and decorative earthenware — items rarely found in average settler camps. These findings suggest that Oak Island may have served as a base of operations for elite or military-aligned figures rather than simple homesteaders.
“Whoever was here wasn’t just surviving,” said archaeologist Miriam Amaral. “They were staging something — maybe hiding something.”
Historical records back the theory: French sea captain and Knight of Malta Isaac Dazzali is said to have established a base at Fort Point, just 15 miles from Oak Island, in the early 1600s.
Malta to Nova Scotia: A Global Blueprint?
The most compelling aspect of the theory centers on engineering. Tunnels found in Malta — constructed by the Knights in 1565 — share features with those buried deep in Oak Island: limestone chisel patterns, vaulted chambers, and clay sealants.
“It’s like a blueprint copied across continents,” one producer noted. “The complexity of Oak Island’s flood tunnels was never meant for mere treasure hiding. It was strategic. It was built to last.”
In a follow-up investigation, the team traveled to Gozo, a Maltese island, to compare the button with surviving uniforms from the Knights of Malta. The match was nearly perfect — down to the material, swirl patterns, and craftsmanship.
Theories Gain Traction as Excavation Continues
Speculation is mounting that the Knights of Malta — facing political instability in Europe — may have transported sacred or valuable relics to the New World for safekeeping. With rising tensions during the 1600s, they had both motive and means to secure treasures in an unreachable location.
“This isn’t just a dig site anymore,” said Jack Begley. “It’s a historical crime scene, and we’re piecing it back together.”
As the search intensifies, fans and historians alike are being invited to weigh in on the theory that Oak Island could be a secret vault for ancient knowledge, protected by one of Europe’s most secretive and powerful orders.
What Comes Next?
With each passing episode, the mystery deepens, and so does the evidence. Could the Knights of Malta have orchestrated one of the most elaborate hiding operations in history?
One thing is certain: the tale of Oak Island is no longer just legend. It is a puzzle being solved piece by piece — with history watching.
Have a theory? Share your thoughts with us online or follow our ongoing Oak Island coverage for more updates as the mystery unfolds.
