Has anyone else been watching this show on Sunday nights? If so, what are your thoughts on the show or the mysteries surrounding Oak Island? I've been fascinated by the story of Oak Island in Nova Scotia for years and this, for me, has been an extremely informative and fun show to watch so far. The first 3 episodes are on the History Channel website Curse Of Oak Island More info on Oak Island (aka The Money Pit)
I turned by it and only lingered on it for awhile, so I don't have much of an opinion. While the backstory is interesting, over time I've gravitated to the point of view that it's just a naturally formed sinkhole, and that anything further is a combination of either wishful thinking on the part of some, or attempts by others to gin up hype for a nonexistent treasure to serve their own ends.
There may or may not be treasure on Oak Island but the original well had a barrier every 10 feet down and multiple disguised drainage pits with diagonal tunnels to the well, excavated on surrounding beaches to flood and protect the well from intruders; an amazing feat of engineering, then or now. The flood tunnels origin was discovered after one of the original explorers noticed that the water level in the flooded well rose and fell with the tide. As the result of endless treasure hunts, the exact location of the original well is uncertain now, the landscape having been so significantly altered. I expect them to find nothing beyond a TV audience interested in unsolved mysteries, this truly being one.
You need to read the wiki (and the accompanying links) regarding the natural sinkhole theory, as there are explanations for the layers of the wood and the supposed flood tunnels that apparently have nothing to do with any treasure, or any attempts to hide any treasure.
I would like for it to be proven or disproven at some point. Hopefully these guys working the island this time can get evidence of whether or not there is (or ever was) something there. The coconut fiber they found in episode two was pretty amazing. It was carbon dated back 400 to 600 years ago.
Haven't seen this show, but I've known a bit about the supposed Oak Island treasure since I was a kid. At first I was naturally intrigued by this mysterious feat of engineering, but over time I'm more disposed to believe that the "money pit" is but a natural sinkhole of some sort hyped up by wishful thinking and misinterpretation.
Most of these types of shows are all BANG, but no BUCK - and in the long run, that's about what I expect in the end (but hoping I am wrong). The engineering jobs the Lagina's are doing and arranging are interesting enough to me in their own right. Next week they will have drained a swamp to see what's at the bottom - that's cool to me. The first 3 episodes have had a nice balance between science, history, mysticism & folklore. Maybe I'm the only one that likes it, but like it I do!
I suggest you read the historical accounts of those who were there and explored and made the initial well-documented discoveries.
As a Canadian....I'm embarrassed to say that I had never even heard of Oak Island until I read that incredible feature a few years back in Rolling Stone(!). I'm amazed that no one has made a movie about the mystery of Oak Island.....
Sounds like another one of those History Channel shows where people never find what they are searching for week after week. It's always 'maybe', 'might have' and 'anyone who knows is dead'.
Exactly. They don't even know the location of the 'Pit' anymore, which is why they've decided to drain-the-swamp, otherwise, we'd just be watching them discussing the 'mystery' over coffee in the local diner.
The Oak Island Mystery is fascinating, and great Canadian tale (check out the story of Brother XII on the West Coast for more Canadian weirdness). Unfortunately this series is just that - a "series". Like a lot of reality/non-scripted shows, they have to create drama to stretch the story out over a season. I've enjoyed the first 2 episodes so far, but have a feeling my patience may be tested over the next few weeks. A nice 2hr documentary covering the history, and this new dig would be more satisfying. ps. I'm leaning towards the natural sinkhole theory as well!
Read more and you'll find that it wasn't so well documented after all. For example, the wood platforms every ten feet? They are now being called into question.
Watched 10 minutes and I'm ready to bail. They just accept all the legend as fact even the parts that have been debunked . For example there are no bobby traps, the island is natural limestone and water just comes in from everywhere. Woods Hole Oceanographic was there a decade go and did all kinds of tests debunking this stuff. Of course this show will never mention this. Not a fan of shows that leave out an entire opposing side of the story. This whole thing started because some kids found a depression under a tree and started digging mistaking natural formations for evidence of pirates. The idea that someone somehow dug to a depth that modern equipment can not 300 years ago is laughable.
If you like this show, which I have not seen yet, you should read RIPTIDE by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. It's a decent novel (at least the first 2/3 of it, as I recall) that's based on this legend.
How do aliens fit in? Have they "decoded" anything yet. Just my expectations of today's History Channel programming.
Hey! I like aliens! There are several aliens that they interview every week! Seriously, it's just entertainment. I don't care if they conclude that there never was anything on Oak Island - I enjoy the show.
