A Discovery So Big It Pits the Lagina Brothers Against Each Other!
The Oak Island Mystery Deepens: New Discoveries, Ancient Artifacts, and a Glimpse of Treasure Beneath the Garden Shaft
After more than a decade of tireless searching, the Oak Island team stands closer than ever to solving one of the world’s greatest treasure mysteries. With Lot 5 newly acquired and a series of probe drilling operations underway at the Garden Shaft, the Lagina brothers are determined to leave no stone—or artifact—unturned. From gold traces buried in ancient wood to Roman-era relics, the discoveries this season are rewriting everything we thought we knew about the fabled Money Pit.
A New Chapter Begins: Drilling at the Garden Shaft
Rick and Marty Lagina, joined by Rick’s nephew Alex, are overseeing the next major phase of exploration—probe drilling in the Garden Shaft, one of the most promising sites on the island. The shaft, now 80 feet deep and undergoing refurbishment by Dumas Contracting, has already revealed traces of gold in its water samples. Hopes are high that this shaft could sit within feet of a long-rumored treasure chamber linked to the original Money Pit.
As the team gathers in a nearby tent, supervisor Brandon Vanderho updates them on the drilling. The Dumas crew is manually probing the surrounding area, taking soil and wood samples to determine what lies beyond the shaft walls. Rick insists that the samples be tested using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) to detect even the smallest trace of gold.
Later, metallurgist Emma Culligan confirms what Rick had suspected: the wood samples from 55 feet below contain measurable traces of gold—proof that gold particles had seeped into the wooden lining from surrounding groundwater. Though the percentage was small, Emma calls it “a big amount” in scientific terms, setting the crew abuzz with excitement. Rick delivers a stirring reflection, reminding everyone that science and patience are the keys to unlocking Oak Island’s centuries-old secrets.
Lot 11: The Buried Well and Ancient Tools
Meanwhile, Rick, Alex, and heavy equipment operator Billy Gerhardt head to Lot 11, near the northern edge of the triangle-shaped swamp, to excavate a buried well once unearthed decades ago. Armed with metal detectors, they’re joined by expert Gary Drayton, whose sharp eye soon pays off. From the freshly dug soil, Gary recovers a hand-forged rose head spike, dating back to the late 1700s, followed by an ancient iron hook.
When blacksmithing expert Carmen Legge examines the hook, he identifies it as part of a block and tackle pulley system, likely dating from 1650 to 1690—well over a century before the Money Pit’s discovery. Carmen’s analysis suggests that heavy cargo was once hoisted near this well. Could this have been part of an early operation to conceal or retrieve something of immense value?
Lot 5: Roman Relics and the Lead Trade Token
Back on Lot 5, Gary Drayton and Jack Begley continue their sweep across newly purchased ground—and strike gold, figuratively speaking. After finding half of a Roman coin dating back to 300 BC, Gary uncovers another mystery: a lead trade token with scalloped edges and twin puncture holes.
At the Oak Island Interpretive Center, Emma Culligan’s advanced XRF analysis reveals that the token is 99.96% pure lead, with no local origin in North America. Further mineral comparisons trace the metal’s composition to Sardinia, off the coast of Italy—once home to ancient Roman mines. The discovery stuns the team. Rick Lagina theorizes that the artifact’s European origin may align with historical theories linking the island to the Knights Templar.
Though cautious not to jump to conclusions, the team agrees on one fact: this token, like so many finds before it, “shouldn’t be on Oak Island”. Each new discovery adds a piece to a puzzle that has defied explanation for more than two centuries.
The Garden Shaft: Closer Than Ever to the Money Pit
As the Dumas crew reaches 93 feet—the approximate depth of the supposed tunnel leading west toward the Money Pit—the excitement peaks. The drill suddenly jams against what appears to be wood, hinting at a possible structure or tunnel. Time, however, is running out.
Due to permit restrictions, the crew can’t extend the shaft further this season. Yet that doesn’t stop Rick, Marty, and Gary Drayton from descending into the Garden Shaft for one final inspection. There, knee-deep in mud and water, Gary’s metal detector lets out a sharp, steady tone—a non-ferrous signal possibly indicating gold, silver, or copper. The team erupts in cautious celebration. Have they finally found evidence of the treasure?
Bound by safety rules and seasonal deadlines, they are forced to stop just short of confirming the find. Rick and Marty end the day standing side by side at the bottom of the shaft, humbled by six decades of dreams and discovery.
An Ending That Feels Like a Beginning
As winter closes in, the Oak Island crew gathers for their final War Room meeting of the season. Rick’s words capture the spirit of their journey: “We’ve always said that science, patience, and teamwork will guide us—and that the island will only reveal her secrets when she’s ready.”
With gold traces detected, ancient artifacts recovered, and a mysterious void waiting just below, the hunt for the truth of Oak Island is far from over.
Could the next dig finally breach the treasure vault that’s eluded explorers for over 200 years? Or is the island still guarding her greatest secret, buried just out of reach beneath the Garden Shaft?
One thing is certain — when spring returns, so will the Fellowship of the Dig.
