Various theories on what might be buried in the mysterious Money Pit on Oak Island have been put forth since its discovery centuries ago. In 1795, a curious depression in the earth was noticed by a young boy who was exploring the island off of Nova Scotia. He, and two of his friends, believed it was the site of a buried pirate treasure.
The story goes that after digging to a depth of around 30 feet, and finding layers of purposely positioned oak logs every 10 feet; these after a first layer of flagstones a few feet under from the surface, the boys realized it was not an ordinary buried treasure. It would require more than just themselves digging to discover what was secreted there.
Since the early 1800’s, many treasure companies have been formed to retrieve the believed buried and immensely valuable treasure.
The latest are the Lagina Brothers. Their adventurous search is followed by the History Channel with the hit show The Curse of Oak Island. For six seasons, the show has followed these two brothers’ attempts to discover what might be buried on Oak Island. They continue to dig and investigate all parts of Oak Island in hopes of discovering what is hidden below.
Following are the top ten suggested theories on what might be at the bottom of the Money Pit. What do you think is there? (please send theories and other thoughts on Oak Island to treasure@mysteriouswritings.com)
1) Nothing is buried in the Oak Island Money Pit
It must first be acknowledged there are people who are unconvinced of any type of treasure being buried on Oak Island. These skeptics propose the Money Pit, and its flooding waters and tunnels, are natural formations. However, the sinkhole theory, unlike the Money Pit, has trouble holding water.
There have been numerous items of interest found while searching and digging in the pit and around the island, that contradict it is all a natural phenomenon. These include flagstones, wooden planks, strange inscriptions, coconut fibers, piece of parchment, and other mysterious relics and discoveries.
In another post, MW will look further into the supporting, and contradictory evidence, that something of significance is buried deep within the island’s ground. For now, though, let’s continue on other theories of what treasure might be buried- if there is one.
2) Captain Kidd’s or other Buried Pirate Treasure
Many of the settlers of Oak Island in the late 1700’s believed the growing legends about buried pirate treasures along the coast of the Atlantic. The stories were abundant and were taking strong hold after the Golden Age of Piracy ended. The accounts of buried riches and the idea pirates had sailed to more northern parts than most commonly accepted, such as Mahone Bay, excited many in the Oak Island area.
The list of pirates include names of Captain Kidd, Blackbeard, Henry Morgan, and William Phipps. Many of these pirates died without any gold found in their possessions. It is believed they must have stashed it somewhere, for they were considered successful and ruthless pirates. So why couldn’t there be a Pirate Treasure buried on Oak Island? They had to bury it at some remote location, and Oak Island was as good a place as any.
3) Marie Antoinette’s Jewels were kept safe in the Money Pit
The timing of this lost treasure barely fits the timeline for when something might have been buried on the island, but it has recently gained favor with the discovery of a 400-500 year old garnet brooch by the Oak Island treasure team in 2017. Could it be part of Marie Antoinette’s missing jewels?
It is believed that when Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were fleeing Paris in 1791, they took with them some of their most expensive jewels and gems. At time of capture in Varennes, however, there weren’t any jewels discovered in their belongings. It is thought Marie’s lady-in-waiting, who had escaped capture, spirited the Jewels across the Atlantic with the aid of the French Navy. They were then hidden in the Money Pit for safekeeping.
4) Spanish Treasure Buried in the Money Pit
One of the most popular theories, after the buried treasure by pirates, is that a Spanish Ship filled with gold and other precious artifacts from the Americas sailed further up the coast than normal, either by cause of a storm or with intent to plunder the ship’s treasures. Anchoring off of Oak Island, it is believed the rogue crew buried an immense amount of treasure with intention to later return for it. But because the flood tunnels and oak layers were unearthed, supposedly still intact, and traps found in working order, it is clear they never did return, and the treasure remains to be brought back to the surface.
5) Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant Hidden on Oak Island
Legends surround the Holy Grail and the Ark of the Covenant being taken vast distances for safe keeping and out of the hands of the unworthy. These Holy relics are items which have been missing from history for centuries, and so the theory they could be hidden in the Money Pit on Oak Island is not fully unexpected. Support for relics of this extreme religious and immense historical nature gain traction because nothing to date has been found in the Money Pit to prove otherwise; and what has been found is supposedly an intricate, complex, and highly constructed vault.
For this very reason, the question is often asked, ‘What type of treasure is worth such a major task to hide and protect?’ The Holy Grail and Ark of the Covenant, of course, come to first thought, and so theories they are hidden here is commonly suggested.
6) Treasure of the Knights Templar
While the Knights Templar are proponents for those who might have hidden the Holy Grail and/or the Ark of the Covenant in the Money Pit, they are also proponents of hiding other types of treasure there too. If not the Grail, or Ark, then what about all the claimed riches that went missing after the Templars were disbanded in 1307?
It is known the Knights Templar grew to become a wealthy group by the early 1300’s. Their power and accumulated riches caused those of royal blood, King Philip IV of France, who was supposed to have the respect, true power and wealth, but didn’t’, to give orders for the Knights Templar to be arrested. Legends say, however, that the Knights Templar were warned of their coming demise and many escaped with the Order’s Treasures. It is suggested they sailed abroad to the New World to hide their wealth on Oak Island.
7) Shakespeare Manuscripts Hidden in the Money Pit
For the last few centuries, the identity of William Shakespeare has been questioned. It was discovered years after his death that there weren’t any books listed in his estate, which surely should have some considering Shakespeare’s wide range of knowledge demonstrated in his writings. Further investigations into his life found his entire history deficient of any documentable facts to offer proof he was indeed the man who wrote some of the most powerful plays of the time.
From evidence lacking, theories rose up to suggest the famous Shakespearian stories were actually written by someone else. A favorite being that Sir Francis Bacon wrote the ‘Shakespeare Manuscripts’. This in turn gave rise to the theory that maybe the original manuscripts are buried in the Money Pit, since they can’t be found anywhere else.
One of the most disturbing thoughts about this theory of historical manuscripts being buried in the Money Pit is that they could now be destroyed and ruined by the attempts to discover them. Over the years numerous Treasure Companies have drilled shafts into the area and possibly into the chests or sealed vault. The entire Pit has been continuously flooded, and so if the containers or seals have been broken, these kind of relics, whether Shakespearean or other, are most likely gone forever.
8)British or French Military Hidden Treasures
The area around Nova Scotia experienced hot debate between the British and French in the 1700’s. Military battles with payrolls on both sides to compensate soldiers fighting over ownership of lands needed to be transported and protected from unwanted disasters. Theories are often suggested that either country could have taken advantage of Oak Island’s location to create a safe haven for such ‘treasures’. The Money Pit could have been created as some sort of secure bank for the military dealings going on at that time.
9) Viking Treasure Buried on Oak Island
Vikings are known to have been one of the first visitors to the eastern shores of North America. While their access to Oak Island is not questioned, their possession of skills and valuable treasure to warrant their creation of the Money Pit are. Still though, the idea of an early Viking ship, perhaps shipwrecked and with some type of treasure on board makes it an option that a Viking Treasure of some kind is buried in the Money Pit. Like so many other theories, it can’t be disproven, so it remains in the realm of possibility.
10) A Dangerous Entity is Imprisoned on Oak Island in the Money Pit
There are many haunting stories on Oak Island. Numerous searchers of the treasure over the centuries have mentioned the eerie feelings they get when near the Money Pit area. Dark shadows, strange sounds, and unexplained mishaps are prevalent. This has raised thoughts that whatever might have been buried there is not to be released.
The flooding tunnels and extraordinary measures thought taken to keep the treasure from being found, were actually created to guard and guarantee that whatever evil entity might be imprisoned below is never allowed to escape.
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Each theory has its supporters and critics. It is extremely difficult to disprove something isn’t buried there and the above theories are only some of the top ideas which have been suggested.
What do you think is buried on Oak Island? What evidence have you found to suggest a treasure is truly, or not, buried there?
Please let me know.
Best of luck with all that you seek! Always Treasure the Adventure!
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