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By: Andrew Costello

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Video

Description

This video is a very well produced trailer to a History Channel show called to Curse of Oak Island. It does not provide a lot of information but is visually stimulating and throws tidbits of information at the viewer.

Conclusion

This video exhibits several Red Flags that I will detail. The first is Appeal to Authority: this is done with some of the quick information blubs thrown at the view including mention of two American Presidents being involved, as if to validate the claim. Another could be Ancient Wisdom or Mystical Energy, when a man recants the curse that seven treasure-seekers will die before the treasure is found, and six have died already.

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The Curse of Oak Island: Trailer | History Channel UK

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Description

This video is a trailer from the same TV show but uses a different tactic then the trailer in Post 3. In this trailer they introduce a character who claims to be a skeptic, and in fact repeats this feature of himself many times in a short span, while also saying many times he needs proof. At the end it is clear he changed his mind, although it is never revealed why. I guess I will have to tune in to find out…

Conclusion

I think this trailer is very misleads. This man claims many times that he is a skeptic that needs proof, using Proof by Verbosity to instil the idea in the viewer that he is some expert that needs persuading on the matter, and if he can be persuaded, then the mystery must be true. It uses tense moments to underscore the importance of this character’s approval. At the end, he believes that the mystery is solved without proof being provided. They is, in sports terms, an Alley-Oop. They first set up the premise that the character is an expert that needs persuading without providing good reason why, and then after they persuade him they use an Appeal to Authority to make the viewer believe that this was a pivotal event.

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The Curse of Oak Island: Bonus - Marty the Skeptic (Season 4) | History

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Description

This article provides information on a possible Roman-era sword unearthed at Oak Island.

Conclusion

The article seems to glaze over the hard to confirm nature of actions of those that are involved with the founding. It falls back on relying on the opinion of a person whose education or expertise in the matter is un-cited, other than his title as Antique Collector.” This is an Appeal to Authority. The article mentions many examples that the Romans may have reached North America long ago, without providing evidence. This could be the use of Ancient Wisdom hoping that the reader will believe such a statement because of the other great feats the Romans accomplished, even though there is little to no material to back up the claim.

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Last month, we reported on the startling discovery of a Roman ceremonial sword off Oak Island , located on the south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada, radically suggesting that ancient mariners visited North America more than a thousand years before Columbus. While the announcement was largely met with surprise and excitement, many have also questioned the authenticity of the artifact. Here we explore the origins of the mysterious Roman sword.

Discovery of the Roman Sword

The finding of the Roman sword off Oak Island, which was originally announced by Johnston Press and published in The Boston Standard , was revealed by researchers involved in The History Channel's series Curse of Oak Island , which details the efforts of two brothers from Michigan as they attempt to solve the mystery of the Oak Island treasure and discover historical artifacts believed to be concealed on the island.
Main: Oak Island, Nova Scotia. Credit: Farhad Vladia / Panoramio . Inset: The Roman sword found in water just off the mysterious Oak Island, Nova Scotia. Credit: investigatinghistory.org and National Treasure Society
J. Hutton Pulitzer, lead researcher and historic investigator, along with academics from the Ancient Artifact Preservation Society, have compiled a paper on the finding, which is scheduled to be published in full in early 2016.

According to Pulitzer, a shipwreck, believed to be Roman, was found off Oak Island, and within the wreck a well-preserved Roman ceremonial sword was retrieved.
A close-up of the sword found off Oak Island. Photo courtesy of investigatinghistory.org and National Treasure Society
Pulitzer told the Boston Standard that the sword was hauled onto a fishing boat decades ago, but was kept secret because the finder and his son feared they would be punished due to strict laws in Nova Scotia regarding retrieving treasures from shipwrecks.

However, relatives of the finder, who is now deceased, recently came forward to reveal the precious sword to researchers.

Verifying Authenticity

In his blog article ' How can a sword cut history? ', Pultizer states that the sword underwent various analyses, including XRF testing , and has been verified by the Roman Antiquities authority as a gladiator ceremonial votive sword. XRF testing (X-ray fluorescence) is a proven technique for material analysis, including metals. The results found the same arsenic and lead signature in the metal of the sword, down to the atomic level, as that found in other ancient Roman artifacts.

Interestingly, the sword was also found to have magnetic qualities, causing it to point true north, a navigational feature built into some swords of the era through the use of lodestones. Ancient peoples were aware of the magnetic properties of lodestones from as early as the 6 th century BC. Cast iron replicas of Roman swords do not possess such characteristics.
Cast iron replica from the Naples Museum ( Design Toscano )

"History shows many such items were given out by the Emperor to legion commanders, possibly as "protection, strength, and guidance of Hercules" prior to entering into battle or departing on a special mission," reports Pultizer. "When such ceremonial swords were made they used solid cast, then hand crafted using a lost wax technique, and lastly gilded with gold like various Egyptian artifacts, making them very rare and highly prized."

Roman votive sword studied by David Xavier Kenney, dated to 190 to 192 AD. Credit: David Xavier Kenney.
The Roman sword found off Oak Island is believed to be part of a rare set of votive swords. Four similar swords having been recovered and verified, now in private collections and museums, including the Museum of Naples, Italy, which issued cast iron replicas of the sword. Many replicas of these rare swords can now be found on websites such as eBay and Amazon.

Symbolism of the Sword

Arts and antiquities collector and researcher David Xavier Kenney , has extensively studied the features and symbology of one of the Roman votive swords belonging to the same set, currently owned by a private collector in the Netherlands and dated to between 190 to 192 AD.

According to Kenney, the sword hilt depicts a statuette holding a piece of driftwood, tree trunk, branch or club overhead, ready to destroy a shrine that includes a type of Irminsul of the north (pillar that played an important role in Germanic paganism) associated with solar worship.

Connection with North America

Kenney maintains that the symbolism of the sword may reflect an ancient belief that there was a legendary or mythical sacred island to the far north in the west that was associated with a meteor strike, the magnetic, the water compass, navigation, and solar worship.
Featured image: The Roman sword found just off Oak Island. Photo courtesy of investigatinghistory.org and National Treasure Society

"Most likely much of that belief was based on ancient sea lore about visitations to Iceland and Greenland - that traveled among peoples who did not have a known, or accepted, written language," writes Kenney.

"Further study in relation to this sword was initially prompted by my findings in 2008 that suggested that some of the sword's symbolism appears to have been connected to the North Atlantic Ocean," adds Kenney. "I did additional studies in December 2012 on a Roman metal votive artifact found in West Virginia, then a bit more in August of 2014 researching an ancient Native American stone tool/Roman votive artifact from Pennsylvania. Symbolism contained on both of those artifacts appear to indicate at least a Roman knowledge of the Cape York meteorite in Greenland, and possibly with a keen interest."

Evidence to Support Roman Presence in North America

In an attempt to dismiss skeptics, who may suggest the artifact had simply fallen off the side of a boat in more recent times, Pultizer and his team have dug up numerous other pieces of evidence to support the theory that the Romans made it to the New World more than 1,000 years before Christopher Columbus. This includes DNA, botanical, linguistic, stone symbols, archaeoastronomy, structure and architectural evidence, artifacts including coins,  burial mounds, and a Roman shipwreck - where the Oak Island sword was found.

"When you put all these things together and you look at the anomalies, it's not a coincidence," Pultizer told the Boston Standard. "The plants, the DNA, the artifacts, the language, the ancient drawings - you have something that deserves to be taken seriously."

By: April Holloway

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Unraveling the Origins of the Roman Sword Discovered Off Oak Island

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Last month, we reported on the startling discovery of a Roman ceremonial sword off Oak Island , located on the south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada, radically suggesting that ancient mariners visited North America more than a thousand years before Columbus.

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Description

This Photo is an image of a bunch of coins likely dated to nearly 1000 years ago based on the Crusader Cross symbolized on them.

Conclusion

This photo in fact has nothing to do with the findings at Oak Island. It is purely an image that grabs the eye to initiate the reader’s unconscious connection of the image of a gold pile to the possibility of treasure at Oak Island. This is purely a Red Herring, giving the reader irrelevant imagery and information to trick the reader before the article has begun.

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Description

This short video describes the early founding and attempts to excavate the treasure of Oak Island. The Video opens with the author’s early warning that not all the stories covered may be fact and are debated by people knowledge on the issue for at least a century. It does a good job into the story and lives of the people involved in the first few years of this mystery that would attract many more to Oak Island, although it does not go far into more modern attempts.

Conclusion

The info available seems very complete, with many facts being thrown around. This, however, might be a instance of Proof by Verbosity to assail the listener with such a well put together story to make it seem factual. It is unfortunate that the author states in the beginning of the video that some of the information is contested, but doesn’t let us know which and what view points pertain to the various sides of the debate. This may be Confirmation Bias on the part of the author in order to make a more interesting story-centric video for more traffic.

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The Mystery Money Pit Treasure Of Oak Island

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Description

This image shows words that may appear on a shirt or mug, clearly meant to be sold as merchandise. The Phrase is: “Eat. Sleep. Oak Island. Repeat.”

Conclusion

This is clearly a play on the old popular culture phrase of a similar nature where words are inserted after “Sleep” to show that the wearer or user of the object inscribed with the phrase really enjoys the activity or thing that has been inserted. In this case, Oak Island is the inserted word. This is an example of ideological Support, used to appeal to people who believe in the Mystery of Oak Island and could be taken in by the application of a popular culture meme by those looking to capitalize on the mystery. A belief that is also being capitalized on is Emotional Connection that people have, who may want an object to represent their belief in the mystery.

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This article is detailed on the death of Dan Blankenship. It is not an opinion piece so sticks quite strictly to the facts.

Conclusion

It is nice to have a piece that honours one of the prime “truth-seeker” of this mystery at the ripe age of 95. However, as this article is more of a factual piece than an opinion piece, it doesn’t delve into the conspiracy that seven men will die before the treasury is found, with Dan being the sixth.

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Dan Blankenship, a renowned treasure hunter and "Curse of Oak Island" mainstay, died Sunday at the age of 95, Fox News can confirm.

"We are saddened by the loss of Dan Blankenship. He will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time," A&E Networks told Fox News in a statement Monday. A cause of death was unclear.

Blankenship's passing was announced by the Friends of Oak Island on Monday in a post shared on the organization's Facebook page. He died Sunday evening, as CTV News Atlantic reported.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Daniel Blankenship," the post read. "A true Oak Island legend, Dan was a respected and admired man. His perseverance, ingenuity and passion inspired all. Safe Journey, Dan. We will all miss you, and your legacy will be a part of us, always."

Blankenship, who first read about Oak Island in an issue of Reader's Digest while living in Florida, started searching for the elusive treasure in 1965 before relocating from the United States to Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1970 to search full-time for Oak Island's legendary loot and fabled fortune.
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It wasn't until 2014 that Blankenship and the History Channel began production on its reality TV show "The Curse of Oak Island," a series that follows brothers Rick and Marty Lagina on their quest to find the treasure and crack the mystery surrounding Oak Island.

The series also features Blakenship's son David and Marty Lagina's former college roommate Craig Tester - an expert in drilling and earth-scanning.

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'The Curse of Oak Island' treasure hunter Dan Blankenship dead at 95

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Dan Blankenship, a renowned treasure hunter and "Curse of Oak Island" mainstay, died Sunday at the age of 95, Fox News can confirm. "We are saddened by the loss of Dan Blankenship. He will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time," A&E Networks told Fox News in a statement Monday.

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Description

This picture depicts the theorized markings that were on a stone which depending on description varied in size from 2-3 feet to only 12-16 inches wide. A Reverend in 1949 attempted to translate the script on the stone in 1949, revealing the message, “forty feet below two million pounds are buried.”

Conclusion

Perhaps the Reverend’s translation of the markings were believed by so many so completely because at the time the Catholic Church was in a position of authority culture-wise, thus making Ideology one reason why this translation may have been spread so wide, as the Reverend no doubt had a position of Authority among the religious.

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Description

This Article/Blog post provides a little information about the mystery of Oak Island and a heavy dose of the authors opinion.

Conclusion

While the author does admit that the current personalities on the show that can be seen in previous posts may have found some riches, he concludes that they hardly have found what people would consider the treasure. This ties in with his theory stated in the title that they must keep treasure hunting until “ratings decline,” which basically means they will never find it while they are getting good ratings, for the show may be more lucrative in the long term then the treasure. This is a good flagging of the Ideology exhibited by many main-stream shows produced by large corporations, which will often milk the product dry. The author does unfortunately fall back on ad hominin attacks on some of the show’s casts, which can be an example of Proof by Verbosity.

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I don't know if you're aware of the History Channel documentary entitled The Curse of Oak Island.

If you are, you'll already know some of what I will write here. If not, you might find the story interesting.

Locals have searched for buried treasure on Oak Island for 223 years, since a member of the crew of the notorious pirate Captain Kidd allegedly told a local settler, in 1795, that they had just buried a fortune in gold on the island, one of hundreds of small, densely-wooded islands in Mahone Bay, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia.

When I was a boy, we used to picnic on the island. My brothers and sisters and I enjoyed playing in the area of the Money Pit, until two American brothers, Marty and Rick Legina bought the island and barred the causeway in 1965.

There are almost as many theories of what (if anything) is buried on Oak Island as there are trees and beach rocks. Some say it's the long-lost original manuscripts of the works of William Shakespeare, based on hidden codes deciphered as early as 1347.

Many still think it's the Captain Kidd treasure. But the modern-day theory is that the Knights Templar buried religious artifacts including the Holy Grail and the Ark of the Covenant.

The Legina brothers and their partners have spent multi-millions of dollars in the Money Pit, Smith's Cove, Nolan's Cross and the Swamp.

They have made some very interesting finds, but not the imagined riches.

This season, the show is concentrating on the Swamp. The series is interesting, though I find a couple of parts of it annoying.

The show Curse of Oak Island is poorly written and voiced by the worst narrator I have run across in my lifetime as a broadcaster.

I only mention this for those of you who watch the show because I know you must feel the same way.

Will the mystery of Oak Island be solved in 2019?

Many millions of dollars and the deaths of six treasure hunters have yet to yield anything substantial. It's intriguing though and has been on the air for six years. All past episodes are online if you want to binge it.

Happy New Year and all the best in 2019, treasure notwithstanding.

Fred Trainor is a retired broadcaster living in Okanagan Falls. Email: fredtrainor@shaw.ca

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A Little Good News: Keep hunting for treasure until the ratings decline

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I don't know if you're aware of the History Channel documentary entitled The Curse of Oak Island. If you are, you'll already know some of what I will write here. If not, you might find the story interesting.

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1.

I was genuinely surprised that the searchers on the island did find any treasure to begin with, even though it is far less substantial than the legend would have us believe.

2.

I really liked Pirates of the Caribbean as a kid, so the idea of some sort of buried treasure was interesting.

3.

I found the video research the most interesting because of the quick information available. It was also far easier to find. Pictures on the other had were a nightmare, as most searches just yielded results of excavation shafts and a forested island, both of which weren’t applicable to this project premise.

4.

I am most likely to remember the video of the guy claiming to be a skeptic over and over so the viewer would believe him only to say that he becomes a believer at the end. This was funny because it seemed this was supposed to have some impact on the viewer, although they never revealed why this guy was an authority on the matter, or why he became a believer.

5.

The most harmful belief is the Emotional Connection used to prey on people’s wallets. The least harmful red flag is the Ideological Support, because it doesn’t really harm anyone in modern times to be interested or a believer in this mystery. There are dangers however of people trying to dig themselves without experts, and bad consequences because of that.

6.
I think that I would advise someone close to me to seek out skeptical sources about the Mystery of Oak Island, and not be taken in by the show on History TV