Nova Scotia presents one of the many nearly mythical places where treasure hunters look for buried riches. Sadly, their hunting days will be over by the end of this year. Local government has decided to limit local excavation activities to protect and preserve the marine world.
Oak Island in Nova Scotia, Canada, has long been in the spotlight of commercial treasure hunters. Many stories have been told about a possible treasure buried here, yet it remains a mystery what exactly to look for. Some claim it may be an immense pirate treasure, some believe it may feature precious jewels of Marie Antoinette. There are enthusiasts who try to find links between Knights Templar and the Oak Island. Others think it may be a 'classic‘ naval treasure hidden here by the Spanish, French or even English.
While stories are plentiful, divers constantly explore the shipwrecks, seabed and caves, looking for artefacts which would reveal any kind of relevant information. The hunt began in 1795 and as the search continued, a flagstone was reportedly found with an inscription suggesting a treasure is buried „forty feet below“. This is just too tempting a note to ignore.
However, local government has long been concerned with what might be passing through their fingers. According to current arrangement, the hunters are allowed to keep 90% of their find and only 10% ends up on display in local museums. As of 1st January 2011, however, all treasure hunting will have to be done under the supervision of an archaeologist and all finds will belong to Nova Scotia. Many agree the measure will bring a bit of peace and quiet for those who actually wish to only explore the Oak Island.
