Analyzing Historical Artifacts

The team explores a 900-year-old well on Oak Island, discovering high trace evidence of silver. They excavate the well, hoping to find artifacts that could provide clues about its origins. A mysterious iron artifact is found and analyzed, revealing it may predate the discovery of The Money Pit. Scientific methods, including a scanning electron microscope, are used to determine the artifact's age and origin, suggesting activity on the island before known inhabitants.

What is the primary goal of the team at Lot 26?

• To map the island

• To plant new trees

• To discover who built the well

• To find a new water source

Why is the well on Lot 26 particularly interesting to the team?

• It is located near a famous landmark

• It is the largest well on the island

• It has high traces of gold

• It is one of the oldest man-made features on Oak Island

What unusual feature was found in the well's water?

• High levels of salt

• Unusually warm temperature

• High trace evidence of silver

• Presence of rare fish

What did the team initially think the iron artifact might be?

• A hand-wrought nail

• A modern tool

• A piece of pottery

• A piece of jewelry

What characteristic of the iron artifact suggests it is old?

• It has a high sulfur content

• It is very lightweight

• It is made of gold

• It is very shiny

Where was the artifact taken for analysis?

• Nova Scotia Library

• Oak Island Museum

• Halifax Historical Society

• St. Mary's University

What tool was used to analyze the artifact at the university?

• X-ray machine

• Magnetic resonance imaging

• Scanning electron microscope

• Ultrasound device

What does the absence of manganese in the artifact suggest?

• It is a modern artifact

• It is pre-1840

• It is made of gold

• It is from another continent

What is the significance of the artifact potentially predating The Money Pit?

• It proves the island was uninhabited

• It confirms the well was a bank

• It indicates the well was a water source

• It suggests early activity on the island

What question does the team have about the artifact's purpose?

• Was it a decorative piece?

• Was it part of a ship?

• Was it used for cooking?

• Was it an access or exit point?