The Lost Colony of Roanoke

In 1587, over one hundred English colonists settled on Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina. When supply ships returned in 1590, they found the settlement abandoned. The only clue was the word “CROATOAN” carved into a wooden post. The fate of the colonists has never been determined.

The Colony

The colony was led by John White and included men, women, and children. Virginia Dare, White’s granddaughter, was the first English child born in the Americas. Shortly after her birth, White sailed to England for supplies.

The Disappearance

White’s return was delayed by the Spanish Armada crisis. When he finally returned in 1590, he found the settlement deserted. Buildings had been dismantled, suggesting a planned departure rather than attack. No bodies were found.

The word “CROATOAN” was carved into a post. “CRO” was carved into a nearby tree. Croatoan was the name of a nearby island and a local Native American tribe.

Theories

Proposed explanations include:

• Integration with the Croatoan tribe (some evidence supports this)
• Movement to Chesapeake Bay (where they may have been killed)
• Death from disease or starvation
• A failed attempt to return to England

Archaeological evidence suggests some colonists may have lived among Native Americans, but no definitive proof has emerged.

Assessment

The Lost Colony of Roanoke represents America’s oldest mystery. The single word left behind has tantalized historians for over four centuries. The colonists’ fate remains unknown.