The Curse of Oak Island Season 13 Episode 24 Recap: “Overseeing the Dig”
A Field Trip to the Azores: The Search Expands Beyond Oak Island
This episode of The Curse of Oak Island marks a significant expansion of the investigation. While Smith’s Cove and the Money Pit remain the focal points, the team ventures to the Azores to uncover potential clues linking Oak Island to early European exploration and the Knights Templar. The team is joined by Francisco Nogueira, a local historian, to explore the Our Lady of the Conception Church in Terceira, a site built by the Order of Christ, the successors to the Templars.
The discovery of a goosepaw carving on the altar mirrors one found on Oak Island, further supporting the theory that the Templars may have hidden their treasures in both locations. This marks the beginning of an intriguing transatlantic connection that could offer new insights into the island’s mystery.
A Templar Link? The Significance of the Goosepaw Symbol
During the trip, Emiliano presents an image of a goosepaw carving found in Italy that resembles the one seen in the church in the Azores. This connection suggests that the Templars used the symbol to mark significant locations during their travels. It’s the same symbol found on a rock in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, just miles from Oak Island.
The repeated appearance of this symbol across Europe and now in the Azores strengthens the theory that the Templars were involved in the early exploration of North America and possibly in the creation of a hidden treasure system that Oak Island guards.
The French Officer and His Templar Connections
Back on Oak Island, the team focuses on Lot 21, where Gary previously discovered a French officer’s cap badge in 2018. This find ties into the French colonial period, as Isaac de Razilly, a high-ranking officer in the Knights of Malta, established a fort near the island in 1632. The connection to de Razilly, a member of an order with ties to the Templars, could provide further evidence that the treasure buried on Oak Island is related to European explorers and their sacred relics.
Lot 5 and the Mysterious Well: A Deeper Look
On Lot 5, Marty Lagina and Gary investigate what they initially believed to be a modern well, but new findings suggest it may be much older than they first thought. The iron hook discovered in 2018 was identified as at least 300 years old, adding weight to the theory that Lot 5 could be home to significant historical features.
The team decides to dig further, as archaeologist Laird Niven and Han uncover evidence that suggests the structure may not be a well at all. Instead, it could be a man-made feature, possibly related to the island’s hidden treasures. The mystery of this well-like structure becomes more compelling, and the team must now figure out whether it ties into the broader Oak Island treasure system.
Gruta do Carvão: Megalithic Stones and Archaeoastronomy
While exploring the Gruta do Carvão, a megalithic stone site in the Azores, Dr. Filipe Rodriguez explains that these structures date back to 2000 BC. They show signs of archaeoastronomical significance, with markings aligned to the sunset and sunrise, potentially linking these ancient structures to early North American voyagers, like the Templars. The similarities between these stones and the cradle feature on Oak Island, which was used to move heavy stones, only deepen the mystery.
The Templar Coin: A Link to the Past
The episode also delves into the mysterious silver coin found on Oak Island, reportedly pulled up from the original Money Pit in 1849. Alberto Silva, a Portuguese coin expert, analyzes the coin and traces its origin to Lisbon, minted between 1369 and 1371.
The coin’s rarity—only 100 known examples—further ties Oak Island to the Templar legacy. This unique find hints that Oak Island’s treasure could indeed be linked to a medieval European group, with silver mining and trade being central to their activities.
Back to Oak Island: The Last Caisson and the Push for Closure
As the team wraps up their field trip, they return to Oak Island, where the team works to complete the last caisson of the season. The caisson, marked MP1, is placed in the Money Pit area, near high metal trace readings. It is situated near the northeast corner of the chapel shaft outline, and the team is excited about the potential of what lies beneath.
The Future of Oak Island: What’s Next?
With the final caisson in place, the team is preparing to move forward with a new phase of excavation. As Rick Lagina reflects, “We’re starting in the Money Pit, and we’ll finish in the Money Pit. Let’s see where this leads.” The season finale promises to be filled with explosive revelations, as the team gets closer to uncovering the truth behind Oak Island’s 300-year-old mystery.
