Oak Island treasure hunt update - January 2009

One of the most common questions asked about the Oak Island treasure hunt today is 'why isn't anything happening?!'

To hunt for treasure in Nova Scotia, one must hold a valid Treasure Trove License (TTL) issued by the Nova Scotian government. Oak Island Tours Inc (comprising Dan Blankenship and the Michigan investors) held a TTL for the initial year of their explorations but this is pending renewal after it expired in June 2008.

The following update is offered with thanks to D'Arcy O'Connor who has doggedly kept us up to date with the bureaucracy surrounding the TTL renewal.

In 2008, the Department of Natural Resources had received renewal applications for Lot 5 and Plum Island for Robert Young; Lots 9 through 14 for Fred Nolan; and Lots 1 to 4, 6 to 8, 15 to 22, 24, and 26 to 32, plus "surrounding waters" for Oak Island Tours (Dan and the Michigan group). These applications are to replace the five-year TTLs that expired June 30th 2008.

A change in the regulations now means that before the TTL applications can be processed, they must first have in hand a letter from the NS Museum (of Natural History) either waiving the need for a Heritage Research Permit (which was the norm over the past 25 or 30 years), or else the applicants must first have "an archaeological reconnaissance done on their property" and submit the results with their application.

Until this is approved, the applicants can conduct top line explorations including historical research, surface surveys and mapping, feasibility studies, and lining up prospective drilling and excavation contractors. But technically they cannot drill down an inch or scoop a shovelful of earth on the lots in question without the requisite TTL's in hand.

The TTL's will be issued for a period of 5 years, although they will be back-dated to July 1st 2008. So in reality, once the entire process is completed, the applicants will have lost three or four months of their licensed time.

D'Arcy explains,

"In the future (i.e. after July 1, 2013) the Oak Island TTLs will most likely be limited to a two-year term (as they currently are for searching for and diving on NS offshore wrecks). Another problem I'm told of is that right now it is rather hard to find qualified archaeologists that are approved by the NS Museum for the preliminary "archaeological reconnaissance", since most such archaeologists are back to teaching at their respective universities.

"My guess is that we won't be seeing any major excavation work on any of the three applicants' properties until late this year, if even by then. All of this is obviously most frustrating for OI Tours, Fred Nolan, and Robert Young. But, as has been pointed out, we won't ever again be seeing some of the horrific helter-skelter amateur work that has ravaged the island in the past. As one Nova Scotia archaeologist said to me today, "Had such restrictions existed 200 years ago, Oak Island's mystery would have long ago been solved, either with or without a recovered treasure."

The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Petroleum Titles (which vets TTL applications) has received the official letter (dated January 6th) from Robert Ogilvy of the Nova Scotia Museum, saying they are satisfied with the archeologist's report regarding the Oak Island Tours Inc. application for a Heritage Research Permit, and that such permit has thus been granted.

All that remains is for the Natural Resources department to submit the TTL application to the NS Cabinet for their consideration, a process which, D'Arcy tells us, normally takes about six weeks.

It looks hopeful that Oak Island Tours Inc will be able to start drilling and/or digging as early as this March or April 2009.

So, I hope that adds some context for all those people so keen to know exactly what is happening with the dig on Oak Island. Looking ahead to the spring of 2009, we can hope that Oak Island Tours Inc have their shovels ready!

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