N.S. university students piece together mystery of Oak Island artifacts
The famous Oak Island still has a few mysteries left, and a group of Nova Scotia university students are working to uncover them by examining artifacts.
Jonathan Fowler, a professor of archaeology at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, is leading his students in an examination of artifacts discovered on the island, which has been the subject of endless speculation and a TV show.
“We are looking at the collection that was given to university by Robert Young, who passed away recently,” Fowler said. “This collection comes from Lot Five on Oak Island. It’s a collection of materials (Young) gathered through treasure hunting activities.
“The pot of gold for archaeologists is often information and, especially when you’re a teacher, the additional pot of gold is sharing it with your students.”
Zea Jones is a third-year student who enjoys trying to solve the mystery of centuries-old artifacts.
“This class encapsulates a lot of what I like about the discipline,” Jones said. “It’s almost like you’re looking at a giant puzzle where you don’t have all the pieces nor do you have the box. Everything’s a mystery. It’s so fun and it’s so valuable.”
Fellow student Joanna Cochran is also thrilled to see the artifacts up close.
“When I heard there was an opportunity to study the artifacts from Oak Island, I was super excited and really interested in it,” Cochran said. “Very excited to see and actually touch the artifacts.”
Fowler said the plan is to digitize the collection and potentially put it online sometime in the future.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Valentine Nkengbeza and Crystal Garrett.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Feds 'not interested' in investing in LNG facilities: energy minister
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says the federal government is 'not interested' in subsidizing future liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, including the electrification of projects currently in the works.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Global measles cases nearly doubled in one year, researchers say
The number of measles cases around the world nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023, researchers say, presenting a challenge to efforts to achieve and maintain elimination status in many countries.
Fair share: the right office solution can take finding the right partner
The rise of remote and hybrid work has made it harder to justify a full office, so more are leaning on co-working spaces that they share with many others for convenience and cost savings. The choice, however, comes at the expense of privacy and control.
What Trudeau's podcast appearances say about the Liberals' next ballot box question
Trudeau recently appeared on four podcasts as he travels the country talking up the Liberals' latest budget, which he's pitching as a plan to inject more economic fairness into society for those under 40 — a cohort that has kept Trudeau in power since 2015 but is increasingly turning to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.