Rick Lagina, Gary Drayton, and Billy Gerhardt Unearth Viking-Era Clues in Oak Island Swamp S11E18

In The Curse of Oak Island Season 11, Episode 18, titled “May the Norse Be With You,” (aired March 12, 2024),the team returns to the southern border of the island’s triangle-shaped swamp. Guided by Rick Lagina, Gary Drayton, and Billy Gerhardt, the team focuses on a suspected historical site where ship-related artifacts have surfaced in prior years. Among the most striking finds: wooden pieces potentially used as boat runners and structural fragments that may have belonged to Norse vessels.

As Rick notes, “We have dates from 700 AD with the ship’s railing,” referencing the carbon-dated artifact unearthed in 2020. With further discoveries of curved, shaped wood and cut holes—hallmarks of ship construction—the crew grows increasingly confident in the theory proposed by Dr. Doug Symons: that Vikings may have had a hand in Oak Island’s mysterious past.

Fred Nolan’s Wall and the Man-Made Swamp Theory

Billy uncovers horizontal and vertical boards beneath the swamp surface, prompting Steve Guptill to remark that the structure could be “feet off of the stone road.” This potentially ties the find to a wooden wall long suspected by the late Fred Nolan—an Oak Island landowner who, over 30 years ago, theorized the swamp was artificially created to conceal something of value.

Dr. Ian Spooner is brought in to inspect the red sediment found near the structure, which may match the layers beneath the stone road, further suggesting historical continuity.

A Hidden Platform for Loading and Trade?

Ruminating on the site’s purpose, Ian, Steve, and Rick consider whether the structure could be a medieval loading and unloading platform. “They’d pull the big boat up,” Ian explains, imagining ancient maritime logistics at play. The alignment near the suspected wharf strengthens this idea, offering a rare glimpse into potential Norse or Templar-era operations.

What’s Next for the Swamp Search?

With Gary Drayton declaring, “Smells like treasure,” and Rick urging caution as they dig deeper, the swamp continues to emerge as a focal point in the island’s long-standing mystery. As Rick reflects, “I think there were activities conducted here… perhaps even centuries apart.”

The team expresses an ongoing commitment to exploring the mysterious structure. They remain hopeful that continued excavation may reveal the full extent of what lies beneath the swamp and possibly yield artifacts that clarify its original purpose.