The Mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke

Introduction

• The lost colony of Roanoke is one of history's most intriguing mysteries.
• In 1587, over a hundred colonists disappeared from Roanoke Island, leaving behind cryptic clues.

The Establishment of the Colony

• 1587: Governor John White lands in modern-day North Carolina with 117 colonists.
  • Originally intended to settle in Chesapeake Bay, forced to settle in Roanoke by Captain Simon Fernandez.
  • Planned to pick up 15 men left at Roanoke two years earlier, but found signs of a massacre instead.

Historical Context

• 1578: Queen Elizabeth I commissions Sir Humphrey Gilbert to claim unoccupied lands in the New World.
  • Gilbert's initial expedition was successful, but his second ended in shipwreck.
• Sir Walter Raleigh takes over, planning to explore from Spanish Florida to the Arctic.

Initial Relations with Native Tribes

• First Expedition (1585): Established a fort and initially good relations with local tribes (Roanoke and Croatan).
  • Representatives of these tribes, Wanchese and Manteo, traveled to England.

Deterioration of Relations

• British garrison commander damaged relations with native tribes, leading to attacks on the fort.
  • British evacuated with Francis Drake, leaving three men behind.
  • Sir Richard Grenville left 15 men with supplies; not found by John White's expedition.

The Third Colony Attempt

• John White's arrival marked the third attempt to establish a colony.
  • Families rather than soldiers or employees settled, leading to stronger personal investment.
  • Virginia Dare became the first English child born in the New World.

Challenges

• Colony arrived too late to plant crops and faced a supply crisis.
  • John White returned to England for supplies but was delayed three years due to the Spanish Armada.

The Lost Colony

• 1590: John White returns to a deserted settlement.
  • Overgrown with weeds, valuables and weapons left behind, no sign of violence.
  • "CRO" and "CROATAN" carved into trees suggested movement to Croatan Island.

Theories on the Disappearance

• John White's Belief: Colonists moved to Croatan Island with Manteo’s people.
  • Absence of a cross signaled no dire emergency.

Supporting Evidence

• 2013 expedition found European artifacts on Croatan Island.
  • Changes in diet in trash pits suggest integration with natives.
• Reports of Native Americans with gray eyes in the 1700s claiming descent from settlers.

Alternative Theories

• Massacre: Unlikely as no remains were found.
• Alien Abduction: Entertaining but implausible.

Conclusion

• Most evidence suggests the colonists assimilated with Croatan natives.
• Despite wild theories, the disappearance is likely due to pragmatic survival choices by the colonists.