In the last oh-so-thrilling chapter of the Oak Island Treasure Saga, we left off in 1796, when the unstoppable Onslow team hit something solid. What was it? Just a stone tablet with mysterious inscriptions… but, of course, they didn’t manage to figure out what is written on it—because, obviously, our oak island treasure story needed even more mystery!
The Tablet’s Ominous Message: Or Not?
It wasn’t until 1886 that a professor from Halifax decoded the message engraved on the stone. Ready for the big reveal? It read, “Forty feet below, two million pounds lie buried.” Now, before you get too excited, no one had any idea what those “pounds” were referring to. Was it weight? Money? Something else? Who knows!
Whatever it was, it was apparently important enough for people to keep digging. Because why not? If you’ve been sinking time and money into a fruitless endeavor for decades, you might as well keep going, right? and maybe, someday, you will find the oak island treasure.
So, what exactly is the Oak Island treasure? Countless theories have emerged about who owned this “mysterious treasure” and what it might be—ranging from pirate gold to, well, even ancient manuscripts!
Shakespeare’s Oak Island Treasure: Since He Clearly Loved Hiding!
Oh yes, because when we think of hidden treasure, the first name that comes to mind is William Shakespeare, right? Forget pirates or ancient kings—obviously the Bard of Avon would need to stash some gold away for a rainy day. So, what’s the theory here? Some clever folks who doubt Shakespeare’s very existence (because why accept the easy explanation when you can complicate things?) believe that his works were actually written by Sir Francis Bacon. And what’s even better? They think Bacon was so concerned about hiding the truth, he built a secret pit on Oak Island to bury not only his manuscripts but his earnings.
Because that’s how you keep a secret: bury all your writings and money on a remote island in Canada where no one will find them… except a bunch of treasure hunters centuries later. And naturally, Bacon thought, “Sure, I’ve created some of the greatest works in English literature, but I’d rather have people think Shakespeare did it while I quietly hoard my treasures in a pit across the ocean. Genius.”
As attractive as this theory may seem to some, it’s widely believed today that Shakespeare was… wait for it… actually Shakespeare. Imagine that! So, as fun as it is to imagine the Bard as a secret treasure-hoarder, it seems this particular fantasy can join the pile of “not likely” Oak Island myths.
Marie Antoinette: Better Hide Your Jewels in a Revolution!
Now, let’s step into the world of royal intrigue. According to another wildly imaginative theory, the Oak Island treasure belongs to none other than Marie Antoinette. Because when you’re facing a revolution and the risk of losing your head, naturally, the first thing you do is send your maid all the way to Nova Scotia to hide your jewels. Makes sense, right?
The story goes that before Marie was carted off to the guillotine, she sent her loyal maid across the Atlantic with her precious jewelry, because where else could she possibly hide them except a random island in Canada that most people had never heard of? Clearly, the French Navy was in on the secret too, helping to smuggle Marie’s wealth to safety in what has to be the least convenient place imaginable. I mean, forget about a hidden vault in Europe or a secret chamber in the palace—Nova Scotia’s where the action is.
One fact that keeps this theory alive is that when Marie Antoinette was arrested, her jewelry was nowhere to be found. Which means, of course, it must be buried on Oak Island. It’s not like she could have lost it, sold it, or hidden it somewhere less ridiculous. No, it’s definitely sitting under a bunch of dirt in Canada, waiting for someone with a shovel and an unhealthy obsession to find it.
Pirates’s Oak Island Treasure: Since Pirates Bury Everything
Now, if you’re into treasure hunting, you have to mention pirates. Otherwise, are you even really looking for treasure? And so, we arrive at the pirate theory, because clearly, Oak Island wouldn’t be a proper treasure destination without some good old-fashioned buccaneers.
According to this theory, Captain Kidd—yes, the Captain Kidd—buried part of his treasure on Oak Island. Because why wouldn’t a pirate sail all the way to the frozen shores of Nova Scotia to stash his loot? Forget the Caribbean or the Bahamas—cold, remote Canadian islands are the spot for hiding gold.
But that’s not all! Some even claim that Blackbeard, the most terrifying pirate in history, hid his treasure on Oak Island too. Blackbeard allegedly stated he concealed something “where no one can ever find it.” Naturally, Oak Island must be the spot, right? After all, what better place for a secret hideaway than a small island in the Atlantic?
Masons’s Sacred Treasure: Secret Oak Island For Ancient Order
And now for the pièce de résistance of Oak Island theories: the idea that the treasure is sacred. This theory stems from alleged Masonic markings that have been found throughout the island. Apparently, these markings correspond to Masonic rituals, which raises the question: could the Freemasons have buried a sacred treasure on Oak Island? Because if there’s one thing secret societies love, it’s marking their hiding spots with easy-to-spot symbols so anyone can figure it out.
The idea that the Freemasons were somehow involved in Oak Island’s mystery is almost too irresistible to ignore. After all, if you’re already dealing with secret pits, pirates, queens, and Shakespeare, why not throw in a shadowy, ancient order of masons with a penchant for hidden symbols and cryptic messages?
According to some die-hard believers, the Freemasons may have held some kind of ritual on Oak Island and, of course, buried something valuable there. What could it be? The lost treasure of the Knights Templar? The Holy Grail? The secrets of the universe? Whatever it is, you can bet it’s not something as mundane as gold coins or pirate booty. Oh no, it’s much more mysterious and important than that. Because if it were something simple, the treasure hunters would have found it by now, right?
More Than One Theory Can Be True—Because Why Not?
Now, that we have all those Theories what exactly Oak Island Treasure is! here’s a thought that will blow your mind: what if all the theories are true? What if Shakespeare’s manuscripts are buried right next to Marie Antoinette’s jewels, which are sitting on top of Captain Kidd’s pirate gold, with Blackbeard’s hidden stash lurking just a few feet away? Heck, why stop there? Maybe the Knights Templar, The Ark the Covenant and the Holy Grail are buried there too, along with the secrets of the universe and other alien artifacts.
Is it impossible? Well, of course it is possible! If you’re already buying into these theories, you might as well believe that Oak Island is some kind of historical treasure chest where every famous figure decided to hide their valuables. It’s like a cosmic game of hide-and-seek, with everyone from kings to pirates to playwrights burying their secrets in one convenient spot. Why scatter treasures across the globe when you can all pick the same small patch of land in Canada?
Wrapping Up the Theories—What is the Oak Island treasure We Really Digging For?
At the end of the day, what is Oak Island actually hiding? What exactly Oak Island Treasure is? Manuscripts? Royal jewels? Pirate gold? Knights Templar? The Holy Grail? The secrets of the universe? Or just a whole lot of hype and disappointment? While the theories keep piling up, and the Lagina brothers keep digging, one thing is for sure: Oak Island is great at making people believe they’re this close to finding something huge… only for them to find a rusty coin or a random stone instead.
But don’t worry, treasure hunters! The real treasure is clearly just a few feet deeper. All you need is more time, more money, and maybe a touch more blind faith in one of these outlandish theories. After all, with enough digging, who knows? Maybe you’ll finally find out which famous historical figure was crazy enough to bury their loot on a random island in Nova Scotia.
But what was origin of the Oak Island treasure saga? In the next part, we see how Daniel McGinnis stumbled upon a mysterious depression in the ground back in 1795, sparking a treasure hunt that would captivate adventurers for more than 220 years.
Next part: 6 First Oak Island Treasure Discoveries