The Lost Colony of Roanoke

America’s oldest unsolved mystery—over 100 men, women, and children vanished from the New World, leaving behind a single cryptic word.

The Colony

In 1587:

• John White led 117 colonists to Roanoke Island
• Men, women, and children
• Including White’s pregnant daughter Eleanor
• First English child born in Americas: Virginia Dare
• A new start in a new world

The Governor’s Departure

White left for England in August 1587:

• To gather supplies and reinforcements
• The colonists watched his ship sail away
• He promised to return quickly
• It was the last time he saw them

The Delay

White could not return for three years:

• War with Spain erupted
• Queen Elizabeth needed all ships
• The Spanish Armada threatened
• His pleas to return were denied

The Return

In August 1590, White finally reached Roanoke:

• The settlement was deserted
• Buildings had been dismantled (not destroyed)
• No bodies were found
• No signs of violence
• Personal possessions left behind

CROATOAN

On a post at the entrance:

• The word “CROATOAN” was carved
• On a nearby tree: “CRO”
• This was the agreed-upon signal
• If forced to leave, carve their destination
• Croatoan was an island 50 miles south
• Also the name of a friendly native tribe

The Search That Wasn’t

White wanted to investigate Croatoan Island:

• A storm prevented landing
• Ships were damaged
• The expedition returned to England
• White never saw America again
• He died in 1593, never knowing

The Theories

Integration with Natives

Most likely scenario:

• The colonists joined the Croatoan people
• Later settlers reported natives with grey eyes
• Stories of people who could “speak from a book”
• DNA evidence may support this

Disease or Starvation

• Harsh conditions killed them
• But no bodies were found
• Buildings were dismantled, not abandoned

Killed by Natives

• Conflict with local tribes
• But no evidence of violence
• The Croatoan were allies

Spanish Attack

• The Spanish knew of the colony
• May have destroyed it
• But they recorded no such attack

Something Worse

Some suggest:

• Supernatural disappearance
• The word Croatoan itself is cursed
• Other sites had “Croatoan” carved before tragedies
• (This is folklore, not history)

The Evidence

The Dare Stones

In 1937, stones appeared with carved messages:

• Allegedly from Eleanor Dare
• Describing the colony’s fate
• Most are considered hoaxes
• But the first stone remains controversial

DNA Studies

Modern research:

• Looking for English DNA in native descendants
• Some promising results
• Research ongoing

Archaeological Finds

Recent discoveries:

• English artifacts found near Croatoan
• Trade goods in native settlements
• Suggests integration, not massacre

The Legacy

The Lost Colony became:

• Symbol of America’s colonial mystery
• Subject of endless investigation
• An outdoor drama performed since 1937
• A cautionary tale of isolation
• Virginia Dare became a legend herself

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117 souls vanished from Roanoke Island. One word—CROATOAN—was all they left behind. After 400 years, we still don’t know what happened.