UFO over Oak Island, Nova Scotia

Check out these photos taken by Jen MacNeil from the Oak Island Resort this summer.

She noticed nothing strange at the time, but when viewing her photos an unidentified flying object became apparent, zooming over Frog Island!

So what do we see? A helicopter? A seagull? Or the mothership returning to the Money Pit docking station?

Have a look for yourselves and see what you think:

Those who enjoy conspiracy theories have surmised that the Oak Island Money Pit was created by visitors from another planet. This is yet another far reaching theory connected to what has become the world's greatest treasure hunt.

The 1967 Shag Harbour incident is Nova Scotia's most famous UFO sighting.

Image source: http://www.dermott.ca/nstour/sshore.html

Oak Island news: Dan Blankenship speaks

For the first time in many years, Dan Blankenship, long time treasure hunter on Oak Island has today given an interview.

A New York based Italian movie company sent Gianni Gallo and Luis Goncalves to produce the piece for Italian television station RAI for a show called Voyager.

Oak Island resident and daughter in law of Dan Blankenship, Garnette stated that to her knowledge this is the first time since the 1960’s that a documentary has been made completely on Oak Island.

Film makers Gianni Gallo and Luis Goncalves on Oak Island this weekend
Image courtesy of Garnette Blankenship

This news causes fans of Oak Island to question why, at this stage in his treasure hunting career is Dan willing to discuss his life's work?

EXCLUSIVE - Oak Island underwater imagery

Underwater images reveal man made objects on the sea bed off the coast of Oak Island, Nova Scotia.


The new investors currently undertaking excavations on Oak Island hired specialists earlier this year to investigate waters surrounding Oak Island. Oak Island Treasure reveals images taken during these investigations which expose what appear to be man made objects on the sea bed.



Could this be a treasure chest?




More information, discussion and links: http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/186/2/

New documentary on the Knights Templar & Oak Island

Has the treasure of Oak Island been found?

Has the treasure of Oak Island been found?

This photo of peculiar looking idols was discovered by Oak Island Treasure Forum member Joy Steele after a meeting with Kay Chappell, relative of the Chappells who famously conducted excavations on Oak Island during the late 1800's.



Discovery of this photo alongside other unseen Oak Island material has prompted discussion as to whether these strange figures were actually found on the island, given the composition of the photographs, seemingly displaying them with a sense of pride. Amongst other documents, were a collection of previously unseen photos of Smith's Cove and the famous oak trees which once lined the shore and gave the island it's name.



Whether they are connected to the mystery remains unknown, but the discovery of new material after all this time there is still new material coming to light on the Oak Island mystery. Many thanks to Joy for sharing this information with the Oak Island online community.

For more historical documents and photos connected to the excavations on Oak Island, check out the Oak Island Treasure online archive.

Oak Island Treasure is 7 years old today!

Seven years ago today, Oak Island Treasure was created when Jo Atherton decided to put her fascination in the hunt for treasure at Oak Island's Money Pit into the public arena. 

Often referred to by many as the world's greatest treasure hunt, as a child, Jo had been captivated by the tale of pirates, cryptic codes, stone inscriptions and of course, treasure.

"It was with the intention of contacting perhaps one or two people who might be able to give me information on what was happening on Oak Island that I decided to build the website", explains Jo. 

"I had no idea how many amazing people I would meet, the contacts I have been able to help and most of all, achieve my dream of setting foot on the island which has meant so much to me." 

Jo (front, centre) with fellow forum members during Explore Oak Island Days, 2006

This year, Miss Atherton attended the Oak Island Tourism Society's Explore Oak Island Days where she was a guest speaker invited to share her experiences of running the world's most successful Oak Island website. 

The treasure hunt on Oak Island continues to this day with Oak Island Tours Inc. currently conducting a series of exploratory drill holes. Over the past two hundred years, this mysterious island in Nova Scotia has claimed six lives and millions of dollars as many have tried in vain to unearth her secret.

New drill holes on Oak Island, June 2008

Oak Island & Frog Island - do they both have Money Pits?

Oak Island is just one of 365 islands in Mahone Bay and is by no means unique by harbouring a mysterious pit.
Frog Island, only a short distance across the water from Oak Island holds a secret of its own. The island also has a pit of unexplained origin which has been the subject of some interesting discussions as to whether this formation is connected to the Oak Island Money Pit.

Daniel J.Sullivan was part of an excavation of the Frog Island pit. Here follow a couple of his photos from 1979.



Daniel looked into how it was possible to move large quantities of soil silently, and without a crane. He goes on to say:

"That was a painful, and dangerous excavation, but provided many artifacts, and reams of data. The pit was originally a sinkhole, and overlies the same strata common to Oak I. The excavation was terminated at 27', due to the influx of water, and dangerous conditions. That large chained boulder behind Drew was later suspended directly over us. Manmade artifacts were found to a depth of 25'.

We worked all of Frog I. in the years, 76, 77, 78, 79, 1983. Many of Peter Beamish's metal detection holes were still discernable, but we made spectacular finds in spite of their efforts, especially in the swamp. Of course our equipment was more sophisticated. Frank Ernst allowed the Beamish group to camp on the island in 1965. There is strong evidence that suggests many men were housed on Frog I. during the period of Oak I. construction."

It would be interesting to ascertain the nature of the man made object Daniel mentions to see if this is another man made structure which may very well hold clues to the creators of the Oak Island Money Pit.

Here follow some photos of the Frog Island pit today, taken on a trip in June 2008.







Is this chain the same one Daniel mentions, seen holding up a boulder in his earlier photo?

Oak Island featuring at The Atlantic Conference

The Atlantic Conference takes place this weekend with the aim of bringing together experts from a variety of disciplines to discuss early trans-Atlantic contact.

For those with an interest in Oak Island, they can look forward to hearing Danny Hennigar speak about his research into the world's greatest treasure hunt.

That a speaker has been invited to discuss Oak Island alongside serious academic researchers could mark the start of this mystery being finally elevated as a worthy subject for consideration, no longer destined to reside in the files of unexplained phenomena alongside UFOs and bigfoot.

Conference weekend: Friday 15th - Sunday 17th August

View the schedule of speakers: http://www.atlanticconference.org/AtlanticConference-2/schedule.htm

Tours of surrounding areas of interest: Monday 18th - Friday 22nd August

View tour details: http://www.atlanticconference.org/AtlanticConference-2/PostSchedule.htm

Oak Island Treasure newsletter - July 2008

Dear friends of Oak Island,

This edition of our newsletter brings you the news of the recent Explore Oak Island Days organised by the Oak Island Tourism Society, additions to the online archive, details of our forthcoming London meeting and news of our new social networking groups.

Explore Oak Island Days 2008 roundup

During June, Oak Island played host to the annual Explore Oak Island Days, organised by the Oak Island Tourism Society. Every year, the event draws excited fans of the mystery from all over the world, and this year was no different. Read all about it:
http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/167/146/

Oak Island Treasure Online Archive

We bring news of some new additions to the online archive. Highlights content recently added include:

Carbon dating reports -
http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/161/142/

Coconut fibre analysis reports -
http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/156/137/

Geology maps - http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/163/143/

Correspondence and newspaper reports from the excavations undertaken by Robert Dunfield - http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/164/144/

London meeting

The annual Oak Island Treasure UK get together is set to take place on Saturday 9th August at noon in The Captain Kidd pub in Wapping, London. For all you need to know about this social get together, visit: http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/35/47/

Social networking

Want to meet fellow Oak Island enthusiasts and discuss the world's greatest treasure hunt? Oak Island Treasure is not just a website - join one of our growing social networks to talk, share photos and watch videos - http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/166/2/

Kind regards,

Jo Atherton

Website Manager
Oak Island Treasure
http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk

Oak Island Treasure social media

Next month, Oak Island Treasure will celebrate it's seventh birthday. Originally created back in the summer of 2001, the website has brought together people fascinated in the Money Pit mystery.

The forum, the largest on the subject, boasts over 1700 members spanning the globe, many of whom have met in person at the annual Explore Oak Island Days arranged by the Oak Island Tourism Society.

To keep with the fast pace of the internet and continue to reach as many Oak Island fans as possible, Oak Island Treasure is seeking new avenues to unite people interested in the world's greatest treasure hunt.

In addition to the forum, there are over 400 members on our facebook group and have recently established a ning community for people to share media and discuss the mystery. Why not take a look?

What is it?

Ning is a social network website, allowing you to create groups for people interested in any subject of your choice. Similar to facebook, and a more dynamic version of the traditional forum, the new Oak Island Treasure group offers an excellent way of sharing media content and meeting fellow Oak Island enthusiasts.


Find more photos like this on Oak Island Treasure


Take a look: http://oakislandtreasure.ning.com/

Explore Oak Island Days 2008

During June, Oak Island played host to the annual Explore Oak Island Days, organised by the Oak Island Tourism Society. Every year, the event draws excited fans of the mystery from all over the world, and this year was no different.

Over the course of a month, the OITS welcomed over 800 people including school tours, locals and tourists, all keen to see the location of the world's greatest treasure hunt. Visitors journeyed from across Canada and as far a field as the USA, Iceland, Scotland and England.

This year, the event took place at the Oak Island Resort & Spa, rather than the Western Shore and Area Improvement Association Building where it has been held for the past four years. This is recognition for how much potential the event has to grow, as bigger facilities were necessary to cope with guest numbers, house displays and accommodate speakers.

It was a great success with opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow Oak Island enthusiasts, catch up with old friends and actually see some of the recent excavations undertaken by Oak Island Tours Inc.

View photos of the weekend and download presentation slides.

Oak Island, coconut fibre and carbon dating

Oak Island Treasure is pleased to announce the addition of some new documents to its growing archive.

The first is a new section on coconut fibre.



Large quantities of coconut fibre have been found beneath the beach at Smith's Cove. Records suggest that this is over a foot deep in some places.

This has intrigued followers of the Oak Island mystery for years, given that coconuts are not found in that part of the world, pointing towards the creators of the Pit originating from more tropical lands.

The selection of documents spanning the past eighty years detail the various investigations which have been conducted into this strange material. Suggestions in the correspondence include eel grass, manila hemp and even human hair.

Carbon dating reports are also available to read for the first time.

To see these documents, please visit: http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/156/137/

Secondly, the next archive section relates to carbon dating. Samples of wood were taken from a shaft discovered on Nolan's property and analysed by radiocarbon dating. The documents span the past forty years show the analysis which has been undertaken and conclusions drawn about the suggested age of the wood, hinting at an approximate creation date for the Money Pit.

To read more about carbon dating on Oak Island, please visit: http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/161/142/

We are thankful to D'Arcy O'Connor for sharing these files with Oak Island Treasure.

These are part of a growing archive which aims to make a large amount of Oak Island historical material available online for the first time.

Other material avaliable to the Oak Island enthusiast includes images taken from deep within Borehole 10X showing man made structures, Petter Amundsen's research into Nolan's Cross and photographs from the day Dan Blankenship was almost trapped in Borehole 10X.

This initiative aims to share information in the wider Oak Island online community to contribute to wider reaching research into the world's greatest treasure hunt.

Passionate about Oak Island?

This is the opportunity you have been waiting for!

The Oak Island Tourism Society are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help out at their annual Explore Oak Island Days on 20-22 June 2008.

The jobs do not demand any heavy physical activity and will include:
security for historical displays
assisting in the collection of admission money
handing out tickets for various tours
running the "movie house"
assistant for the sale table
assistant for "front door"
assistant for speakers
room security for Loyalist Arms and Repair table
general girl/guy runners

If you are interested, please contact Danny or Yvonne Hennigar in the first instance - tel 902-275-3718 or email flhs@eastlink.ca

See you in June!

Oak Island Treasure Newsletter - March 2008

This edition of our newsletter brings you the news you've been waiting
for - the hunt for treasure has finally begun again on Oak Island.

Read about the latest attempt to recover riches on the small island in
Nova Scotia which has had treasure hunters baffled for over 200 years:
http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/145/134/

From the Oak Island in the present, next we step back to 1976 in our
ever-expanding Oak Island archive. We are pleased to bring you a
fascinating scrap of Oak Island history - a transcribed conversation
which took place between Dan Blankenship and his son the moment
Borehole 10X bean to collapse:
http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/146/135/

Browse our online archive for a growing collection of historical
documents and photographs relating to the world's greatest treasure
hunt: http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/73/96/

We also bring you the latest agenda for this years' Oak Island Tourism
Society's Explore Oak Island Days on June 20-22:
http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/content/view/135/128/

We are always interested in hearing from you - whether this may be
your own theory on the mystery or feedback on the site, we welcome any
comments you may have.

As always, we thank you for your interest in the Oak Island mystery
and look forward to bringing you the news when the hoard of treasure
is brought up to the surface on Oak Island!

Kind regards,

Jo Atherton

Website Manager
Oak Island Treasure
http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk

World's greatest treasure hunt has begun!

Oak Island Treasure has been informed that the hunt for treasure has begun again on Oak Island. This is the latest attempt to recover riches on the small island in Nova Scotia which has had treasure hunters baffled for over 200 years.

Our source reports that Oak Island Tours Inc have started their investigation by digging a series of shafts which, according to Oak Island author, D'Arcy O'Connor, are several feet north of the famed Money Pit.

This original site is where, as legend has it, a group of boys on a fishing expedition to the island discovered disturbed earth beneath a block and tackle hanging from an Oak Tree back in 1795.

Often called 'the world's greatest treasure hunt' due to the millions of dollars which have been spent on trying to overcome the ingenious set of traps devised to protect what some believe may be the biggest repository of treasure the world has seen.

Other speculators suggest the lost works of Shakespeare, Templar treasure and even that Oak Island could be the final resting place for the Holy Grail.

Today, interest is high as new investors from Michigan have teamed together with long time Oak Island treasure Dan Blankenship.

It would seem efforts are concentrated further north than the original Money Pit as three holes have been dug - one to 160 feet and two more to a huge depth of 300 feet.

This initial exploration has not resulted in any significant finds, but digging is to continue very soon as more of the island is probed to try and uncover its mysterious past.

New additions to the Oak Island Archive

A collection of newspaper articles from 1971 which debate the existence of human hand in Borehole 10X. These articles were written shortly after Triton lowered cameras in to shaft and include interviews with those who have worked on Oak Island over the years. Read more

A collection of documents spanning Fred Blair's life (1867-1951) and in particular his sixty years involvement with Oak Island. Read more

Documents from Peter Beamish, an employee of The Institute of Oceanography in the 1960's. Includes letters relating to this establishment's findings on Oak Island. Read more

Oak Island Treasure Archive

New additions to the Oak Island Treasure Archive this week include photos of Dan Blankenship being lowered down into Borehole 10X in 1976, and some amazing photos of treasure hunters at work on Oak Island.


Dan Blankenship in the original Money Pit, Oak Island 1976



Dan Blankenship - Oak Island September 1976

Treasure Hunting

To view these images and many more, please use the following links:


Borehole 10X Gallery I

Borehole 10X Gallery II


Blankenship excavations

Oak Island engineering images

Oak Island Treasure - Borehole 10X Video

Oak Island Treasure is pleased to share with you a selection of images which have been added to our main website this week.

Firstly the following image was taken from the famous Borehole 10X video. In this piece of film shot when a camera was lowered deep into the flooded caverns of Borehole 10X, many believed they were seeing what they thought to be a collection of chests.

Other images in this collection include what some have interpreted to be wooden beams supporting a roof - similar to a mine shaft, and intriguing of all, a photo of what has been identified as a body.

These photos were taken of the TV monitor displaying the video, and as a result are not the best quality. Coupled with sediment strewn waters, and it is easy to understand the ambiguity which surrounds these controversial pictures.

One must be wary when viewing such 'evidence', as for anyone passionate about the Oak Island mystery, the temptation is to see what you wish to see, much like forming shapes out of the clouds in the sky. However, these photos undoubtedly remain a fascinating chapter in the history of Oak Island.

Visit Oak Island Treasure now to view these new images.

*NEW* images of Oak Island treasure hunting

As part of the ongoing project to digitise Oak Island material and get it online for you all to enjoy, (and also protect it from inevitable deterioration), I bring you a sneak peak of some of the images which will be added to Oak Island Treasure resources over the coming weeks.

The following images are of exploration taking place on Oak Island during the 1960s/70s (actual date to be confirmed soon).

Oak Island - the year ahead

Looking ahead to 2008, exciting times are promised for Oak Island.

With excavations planned, the biggest Explore Oak Island Weekend to date and the some amazing resources set to appear online available to the public for the first time, Oak Island has something for everyone in 2008.

Exploration

Oak Island Tours will be embarking on new excavations of the island, for the first time in many years. This new team of explorers comprises long time treasure hunter Dan Blankenship, now in his 80s with over 30 years experience of treasure hunting on the island. He has joined forces with four Americans who will be investing $200,000 into drilling and research on Oak Island.

We can assure you that reports of excavations, as and when they occur will be posted on Oak Island Treasure. Oak Island Tours have assured us they will report all they can, as and when exploration gets under way in the very near future. For the past seven years we have been keeping the world up to date with all thelatest Oak Island news and will endeavour to do so at this exciting time - it's what we've been waiting for!

2008 will promise announcements not to be missed. To be sure you stay informed about the world's greatest treasure hunt, why not join the Oak Island Treasure mailing list

Explore Oak Island Days 2008

On 20-22 June, Western Shore will once again play host to the Oak Island Tourism Society's annual Explore Oak Island Days. This year, the event will be taking place at the Oak Island Resort and Spa, with walking tours of the island. Normally closed to the public, this is the only opportunity you have to actually set foot on the island and hopefully see signs of the new excavations.

In the past, visitors have enjoyed guided walks around the island and seeing venerated points of interest, such as the original Money Pit, Borehole 10X and Smith's Cove.

The agenda, although tentative at this stage, is shaping up as follows:

Explore Oak Island Days Agenda - June 20 - 22/08

- June 19 Thursday at 5:30 PM. Special "members only" tour of Oak Island.

- June 20 Friday. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Oak Island and learn about it’s 213 year old history. The tour starts at 6PM and lasts about 2 hours, be sure to register in advance by calling 902-275-3718 or e-mail the Society at flhs@eastlink.ca

- June 21 Saturday. The doors to Oak Island display, artifacts, movies and more open up at 10AM. Come and learn about the mystery at the Oak Island Resort in Western Shore.

- 12:30 Our first guest speaker of the day is Mr. Graham Harris.

- 2:30 Our second guest speaker of the day is Ms. Joanna Atherton owner of the world’s premier Oak Island web site at http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/

- Dinner and entertainment at the Oak Island Resort later on. Details to be announced.

- June 22 Sunday. The doors to Oak Island display, artifacts, movies and more open up at 10AM. Come and learn about the mystery at the Oak Island Resort in Western Shore.

- First walking tour of the day starts at 11AM. and lasts about 2 hours, be sure to register in advance by calling 902-275-3718 or e-mail the Society at flhs@eastlink.ca

- 1 PM. TBA.

- Second walking tour at 4 PM

Exclusive Oak Island photos from 50s and 60s - soon to be made available

During 2007, we established Oak Island Treasure Resources - a growing archive for key documents and images relating to the Oak Island mystery. We are pleased to announce some exciting additions to this section over the next couple of months.

A collection of around 50 photographs from author D'Arcy O'Connor's private collection will soon be made available online. This is part of Oak Island Treasure's long digitisation project bringing many photos and documents into the public domain for the first time.

Never before has there been such an ambitious undertaking to display this huge repository of historical documents and primary sources online, and we are most grateful to D'Arcy for kindly sharing this material.