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With a hit television series and many theories circling the internet, there is a lot of hype surrounding Nova Scotia’s Oak Island, aka the Money Pit. But, what exactly is Oak Island and why are so many obsessed with its mystery? Up ahead, we take a look at one of the most legendary pieces of land in the world, including the supposed treasure buried deep in its grounds.

| History Channel

What is Oak Island?

Often referred to as the Money Pit, Oak Island is a mysterious island in Nova Scotia. And, rumor has it, an incredible treasure was once buried on the island. But, that’s not even all of what makes the Oak Island mystery so fascinating. From Rick and Marty Lagina’s treasure hunt on The Curse of Oak Island to Marie Antoinette’s lost jewels, we share some of the most interesting facts (and rumors) about Oak Island, ahead.

‘The Curse of Oak Island’

With so many interested in the Oak Island treasure, it should come of no surprise that History Channel jumped on board when brothers (and treasure hunters) Rick and Marty Lagina excavated the property in hopes of finding the buried treasure. The Curse of Oak Island is currently in its sixth season and the Lagina brothers have found many promising artifacts, including a gemstone that might be connected to Marie Antoinette and a cross that resembles connections to the Knights Templar.

Knights Templar

One of the most well-known and widely believed Oak Island theories says that the Knights Templar buried treasure and artifacts on the infamous island. Some believe the Holy Grail and Ark of the Covenant were in their possession and could be buried hundreds of feet deep in the Money Pit.

The Knights Templar have a close connection with the Freemasons and some treasure hunters admit that the island is no stranger to Freemasonry symbolism.

Pirate treasure

Another known theory is that pirates buried their treasure on Oak Island. After all, some of its original settlers — including Captain James Anderson  — were pirates. One rumor suggests Captain William Kidd (a famous pirate) buried his treasure just east of Boston, which lines itself up to Oak Island.

That said, the pirates were likely there in search of treasure — not just burying it. Albeit a popular Oak Island theory, many don’t think pirates had the ability to construct something like the Money Pit.

Marie Antoinette’s jewels

The last queen of France might have asked to bury her jewels on Oak Island. Rumor has it, France’s last queen gave her jewels to an entrusted woman during the French Revolution. The woman was later spotted in Nova Scotia and Marie Antoinette’s jewels were never seen again.

Samuel Ball

Despite who’s treasure it is, one thing is for certain: There is treasure on the island — or at least there was. Many of its past residents mysterious came into money, including Samuel Ball, who was a former slave that escaped to Nova Scotia after the Revolutionary War. Ball mysteriously came into money and some historians and Oak Island theorists believe his wealth has something to do with the Oak Island treasure.

Viking connection

Another popular Oak Islan theory suggests that the so-called Money Pit as a Viking ship buried underneath it. Theorists believe it sunk in the quicksand-like land on Oak Island and, in the process of sinking, flipped over vertically.

Shakespeare’s manuscripts

If this theory is true, Shakespeare is not who we think it is. Some Oak Island theorists think that a 16th-century author named Sir Francis Bacon was actually Shakespeare. With that in mind, they think that Bacon could have buried Shakespeare’s manuscripts in the Money Pit. Rick Lagina and crew discovered parchment paper while filing The Curse of Oak Island, which added fuel to the alleged theory.

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