The centuries-old treasure hunt on Oak Island has taken yet another dramatic turn, as researchers uncover signs of a mysterious 90-foot-high tunnel and compelling evidence of European presence centuries before Columbus.
The team, led by Rick Lagina and longtime experts Craig Tester and Gary Drayton, recently drilled exploratory borehole D-57 in the famed Money Pit area. At a depth of 100 feet, they detected signs of a vast and unknown tunnel. “We’re into something big,” Rick Lagina said, as groundwater tests also revealed a shift in the source of precious metals—moving over 40 feet southwest of the original “baby blob” zone.
In Smith’s Cove, another breakthrough is brewing. The crew uncovered a large wooden beam, possibly linked to the failed flood tunnel search by the Restall family in the 1960s—or, intriguingly, to whoever originally built the flood trap to protect Oak Island’s secrets centuries ago.
Excavations at Smith’s Cove also revealed a possible ship shaft, dark substances, and aged timber—further suggesting man-made activity to control flood waters. The team is working to intercept this elusive flood tunnel believed to lead to the treasure vault.
Meanwhile, on Lot 5, a treasure trove of historic artifacts has ignited excitement. Three ancient Roman coins—one possibly over 2,000 years old—were authenticated by numismatist Sandy Campbell. “These coins could rewrite the history of European exploration in the New World,” Campbell remarked.
The discoveries don’t end there. Venetian trade beads, a silver piece resembling an ancient coin, and iron tools tied to 17th-century English officer Sir William Phips have all emerged from the same lot. A stone foundation found nearby is believed to be a staging area during the Money Pit’s original construction.
As archaeologists continue examining the mysterious concrete structures at Smith’s Cove, expert Emma Culligan identified the cement as pre-1900 hydraulic mix—possibly used to block seawater from the flood tunnel. X-ray diffraction tests confirmed it belongs to the Portland cement group, unlikely to have been used in modern mixes.
Back in the war room, the team now works closely with Dr. Ian Spooner and blacksmith expert Carmen Legge, piecing together timber, metals, and soil samples. A massive iron spike may have once anchored ships to the island’s shoreline, further supporting maritime theories about treasure deliveries.
Adding to the intrigue, a second medieval Knights Templar map was shared by researcher Zena Halpern, suggesting a secretive and well-planned European presence between the 12th and 14th centuries.
For now, all eyes are on the new drilling at borehole 8 and the continued excavation of Lot 5. With over ten tons of debris already removed and countless new leads, the team presses on.
“We’re closer than ever,” said Gary Drayton, holding up another relic from centuries past. “And Oak Island still has secrets to give.”
