Recent findings, highlighted in The Curse of Oak Island series, suggest that Norse explorers may have traveled as far south as Oak Island, Nova Scotia.
This significantly expands the known boundaries of Viking exploration in North America.
This theory stems from discoveries made at L’Anse aux Meadows, the only confirmed Viking settlement on the continent.
In addition, artifacts and ecological clues are presented in the History Channel series.
In a recent clip from the series, Marty Lagina follows the trail to Newfoundland, which is the only proven site in North America.
The long-running History Channel series is on Season 12, and the team continues to trace the Viking link to the island.
Oak Island team finds compelling evidence of Norse presence
One compelling piece of evidence is the discovery of butternut remains at L’Anse aux Meadows. Butternut trees, native to regions from New Brunswick to New England, do not grow in Newfoundland.
The presence of these remains indicates that the Norse ventured further south into areas where butternuts naturally grew. Marty Lagina, a key figure in The Curse of Oak Island, stated during a recent episode: “This is the only proven site in North America. Do you believe there are others?”
“The sagas talk about another place called Hóp,” a historian responded.
The Norse sagas, medieval texts chronicling Viking voyages, describe Hóp as a summer worksite south of Newfoundland.
While its exact location remains unidentified, experts theorize it could be in Nova Scotia or beyond.
The series has explored the possibility that Oak Island, situated off the coast of Nova Scotia, might align with this historical description.
Lagina and his team have been tracing Norse exploration routes as part of their quest to uncover Oak Island’s mysteries.
“We followed the trails as far as Iceland, so we thought the logical place to pick it up was here,” a team member said during the series.
Their investigations suggest that Oak Island’s strategic location and rich natural resources could have made it an appealing site for Norse explorers.
Norse explorers went further than previously believed
Adding to the intrigue is the discovery of a butternut burrel near Oak Island. “The other interesting thing is we know they’re going further south because we have butternuts here in the collection,” a team member remarked.
This aligns with the idea that the Norse explored much further than previously believed, possibly using Oak Island as a stop along their journey.
While no definitive archaeological evidence has been unearthed directly linking the Norse to Oak Island, the combination of historical texts, ecological clues, and ongoing investigations continues to spark curiosity.
The Curse of Oak Island team remains dedicated to unraveling this centuries-old mystery, blending historical research with cutting-edge exploration.
The show’s exploration of this theory shows the significance of Oak Island in the broader narrative of early North American exploration, leaving audiences eager for future discoveries.
The Curse of Oak Island airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on History.