The Colony of Roanoke’s Mysterious Disappearance | The UnXplained (Season 3)

Summary

The Roanoke Colony, established in 1587 on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, was the first English settlement in North America. It mysteriously vanished in 1590, leaving behind only the word 'Croatoan' carved into a post. Theories on the disappearance range from relocation to assimilation with local tribes. Despite extensive archaeological efforts, the ultimate fate of the 'Lost Colony' remains one of American history's enduring mysteries.

Takeaways

• 🏰 Fort Raleigh National Historic Site in North Carolina marks the site of the first English settlement in North America, known as the 'Lost Colony' of Roanoke.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The Roanoke colony mysteriously vanished in 1590, leaving behind no trace of the colonists, which remains one of the enduring mysteries of American history.
• 🚢 In the 1580s, England sought to establish colonies in the Americas to gain a share of the wealth that Spain and other nations were amassing from their colonies.
• 🌊 English mapmaker John White led the expedition to Roanoke Island in 1587, with 117 colonists, but had to return to England for supplies, leaving the colony unattended.
• ⏳ White's return to Roanoke was delayed by three years due to conflicts with the Spanish Navy, during which time the colony disappeared.
• 🔍 Upon his return in 1590, White found the settlement abandoned, with houses dismantled and a new, well-built fort in place, indicating a possible relocation.
• 🗝️ White discovered the word 'Croatoan' carved into a post, which he had instructed the colonists to leave as a sign if they moved, pointing towards the nearby island of Hatteras.
• ⛈ A storm prevented White from immediately searching for the colonists at Hatteras, and he was never able to return to the New World to look for them.
• 🏺 Archaeological excavations on Hatteras Island have uncovered artifacts such as a gold ring and an Elizabethan sword hilt, suggesting possible links to the lost colonists.
• 🤔 The absence of any remains or clear signs of violence at the site of the Roanoke colony adds to the mystery of what happened to its inhabitants.

Q & A

What is the significance of Roanoke Island in American history?

Roanoke Island is significant as the site of the first English settlement in North America, known as the 'lost colony' due to its mysterious abandonment in 1590.

Why is the colony of Roanoke referred to as the 'lost colony'?

The colony of Roanoke is called the 'lost colony' because it was mysteriously abandoned, and the colonists vanished without a trace in 1590.

What was the primary motivation for England to establish colonies in the Americas during the late 16th century?

The primary motivation was to participate in the colonization of the Americas to access wealth and resources, as exemplified by the Spanish, and to avoid being overrun by enemies.

Who was John White and what was his role in the Roanoke colony?

John White was an English map maker commissioned to found a new colony on Roanoke Island. He led the group of 117 colonists to the island in 1587 and later returned to England to gather more supplies and colonists.

Why did John White have to return to England shortly after arriving at Roanoke Island?

John White returned to England to obtain more supplies and additional colonists, which were deemed necessary for the colony's survival and success.

What delayed John White's return to Roanoke Island after his departure?

John White's return was delayed by three years due to conflicts with the Spanish Navy, which prevented him from reaching Roanoke Island as planned.

What did John White find upon his return to Roanoke Island in 1590?

Upon his return, John White found the entire settlement abandoned, with houses dismantled and a new, well-built defensible fort in their place.

What was the cryptic clue John White discovered that suggested the colonists' whereabouts?

John White found the word 'Croatoan' carved into a wooden post, which was a clue pointing to the nearby island and tribe of the same name.

What recent archaeological findings have been made in relation to the Roanoke colony mystery?

Archaeologists have found a gold ring from Elizabethan times and the hilt of an Elizabethan sword in a Native American village, suggesting possible connections to the lost colonists.

What remains a mystery despite extensive archaeological efforts on Hatteras Island?

Despite the archaeological findings, the absence of skeletons or clear signs of an attack or siege leaves the ultimate fate of the Roanoke colonists a mystery.

Why does the legend of the Roanoke colony continue to intrigue people?

The legend of the Roanoke colony continues to intrigue due to the ambiguity surrounding the colonists' disappearance and the unanswered questions about their fate.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Mystery of Roanoke: America's Lost Colony

The first paragraph delves into the historical enigma of Roanoke, the first English settlement in North America, which was established over 400 years ago in present-day North Carolina. Known as the 'lost colony,' Roanoke was mysteriously abandoned in 1590, leaving no trace of the colonists. The narrative highlights the fascination with Roanoke due to the scarcity of information compared to other settlements like Jamestown and Plymouth. It sets the stage for the exploration of the events leading to the colony's disappearance. The English, eager to establish a presence in the Americas like the Spanish, sent John White to found a colony on Roanoke Island in 1587. After an arduous journey, White and 117 colonists arrived, but the need for more supplies led White to return to England, planning to return in less than six months. However, conflicts with the Spanish Navy delayed his return for three years. Upon his return in 1590, he found the settlement abandoned, with houses dismantled and a new, well-built fort in their place. A cryptic clue, 'Croatoan,' carved into a post, suggested the colonists might have moved to Hatteras Island, home to a native American tribe.

05:00

🔍 Unearthing Clues: The Search for Roanoke's Lost Colonists

The second paragraph continues the narrative by detailing the efforts of archaeologists in recent years to solve the 400-year-old mystery of Roanoke's lost colonists. Excavations on Hatteras Island, known historically as Croatoan, have yielded significant findings, including a gold ring from the Elizabethan era and the hilt of an Elizabethan sword found in a Native American village. These discoveries hint at the possibility that some colonists may have survived and integrated with the Croatoan tribe. However, despite extensive archaeological work, no human remains have been found, leaving the ultimate fate of the colonists shrouded in mystery. The ambiguity surrounding their disappearance fuels the legend and intrigue surrounding Roanoke, with questions remaining about whether the colonists moved elsewhere or if there was a more sinister reason for their vanishing.

Keywords

💡Roanoke

Roanoke refers to the first English settlement in North America, established in the late 16th century. It is central to the video's theme as it represents a significant yet mysterious chapter in American history. The term is used throughout the script to describe the colony that was mysteriously abandoned in 1590, leaving behind no trace of its inhabitants.

💡Lost Colony

The term 'Lost Colony' is used to describe the enigmatic disappearance of the Roanoke colony. It is a key concept in the video, illustrating the enduring mystery that has captivated historians and the public. The script mentions that the colony's vanishing without a trace is the core of the mystery that has persisted for over 400 years.

💡English Settlement

An 'English Settlement' in the context of the video refers to the establishment of a colony by English settlers in the New World. It is a crucial element in the narrative of early American history, with the Roanoke colony being the first such attempt. The script discusses how this settlement was part of England's broader efforts to colonize the Americas.

💡Abandoned

The term 'abandoned' is used to describe the state of the Roanoke colony when it was found empty in 1590. It is a central concept in the video, highlighting the mystery of the colony's disappearance. The script describes how the entire settlement was found deserted, with houses dismantled and a new fort built, indicating an organized departure.

💡John White

John White was an English mapmaker who led the expedition to establish the Roanoke colony. His role is pivotal to the video's narrative, as he was the one who returned to find the colony abandoned. The script details his journey back to England for supplies and his delayed return due to conflicts with the Spanish navy.

💡Croatoan

Croatoan is the name of a Native American tribe and also the name of the island where the tribe lived. It is a significant keyword in the video as it is linked to the possible fate of the Roanoke colonists. The script mentions that the word 'Croatoan' was carved into a post, suggesting that the colonists may have relocated there.

💡Archaeologists

Archaeologists are researchers who study human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites. In the video, they play a key role in the ongoing investigation into the fate of the Roanoke colonists. The script describes how their excavations have yielded clues such as a gold ring and a sword hilt, potentially linking to the colonists.

💡Hatteras

Hatteras refers to both the modern name of the island formerly known as Croatoan and the tribe of Native Americans who lived there. It is mentioned in the script as the location where archaeologists have been excavating to find evidence related to the Roanoke colonists. The term is significant as it is the place where clues about the colonists' fate have been found.

💡Assimilation

Assimilation in this context refers to the process by which the Roanoke colonists might have integrated into the local Native American population. It is a concept discussed in the script to explain one possible outcome for the colonists, suggesting that they may have survived and intermingled with the Croatoan tribe.

💡Ambiguity

Ambiguity in the video refers to the lack of clear answers or the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the Roanoke colonists. It is a key concept that keeps the legend of the lost colony alive. The script emphasizes the ambiguity by pointing out the absence of definitive evidence such as skeletons or signs of attack, which leaves the mystery unresolved.

Highlights

Roanoke, the first English settlement in North America, mysteriously abandoned in 1590.

The lost colony of Roanoke remains a central mystery in the origin of the United States.

England sought to colonize the Americas for wealth and power in the late 16th century.

John White, an English map maker, was commissioned to establish a colony on Roanoke Island in 1587.

The Roanoke colonists were middle-class Londoners seeking new opportunities.

John White returned to England for supplies, planning to be back within six months.

Spanish conflicts delayed White's return to Roanoke for three years.

Upon White's return in 1590, the Roanoke settlement was abandoned, with no sign of the colonists.

A well-built defensible fort was found in place of the previous houses, suggesting a change in circumstances.

The word 'Croatoan' carved into a post was a potential clue to the colonists' fate.

Hurricane prevented White from immediately searching for the colonists at Hatteras Island.

Archaeological excavations on Hatteras Island have provided new evidence about the lost colony.

A gold ring from Elizabethan times suggests possible contact between colonists and the Croatoan tribe.

An Elizabethan sword hilt found in a Native American village raises questions about the colonists' survival.

The absence of skeletons or signs of attack adds to the mystery of the colonists' disappearance.

The legend of Roanoke persists due to the ambiguity surrounding the settlers' fate.

Transcripts

fort raleigh national historic site

north carolina

more than 400 years ago this was the

site of a colony called roanoke

the first english settlement in north

america

roanoke is known as the lost colony

because it was mysteriously abandoned in

1590

and the colonists vanished

without a trace

the lost colony remains this mystery

that's at the very heart of the origin

of our nation people remain fascinated

by roanoke because we know so little

about the place

we know what happened in jamestown

we know what happened at plymouth

but roanoke is this mystery because we

don't know what happened when we think

about the founding of the united states

of america we think of it in this fairly

linear way that colonists showed up they

settled they moved west america and

really it turns out that there were a

number of false starts

in how this country got started

and one of those was the colony at

roanoke this was a group of people who

showed up and were ready to settle but

what happened to that colony

is one of the big unanswered questions

of american history

what happened to the roanoke colonists

perhaps the answer can be found by

examining the events in the late 16th

century that led to their fateful

disappearance

in the 1580s england was a very small

poor struggling island that really

wanted to get in

on the game of colonizing the americas

because that's where the money was

the english were looking at the spanish

ships coming back laden with gold and

various commodities from their empire if

you like in mexico south america florida

and of course that was making spanish

very powerful

essentially it was a case of if we don't

find our own source of wealth in this

new world we could be sort of overrun by

our enemies

in 1587 an english map maker named john

white was commissioned to found a new

colony on roanoke island

which had been claimed by a british

expedition to the new world two years

earlier

after an arduous two-month voyage across

the atlantic ocean white and 117

colonists landed on roanoke island

the people who chose to come along on

this ill-fated expedition were

middle-class people from london so they

were eager to find new lands because to

have land in england meant everything

that's what gave you status

but they knew they needed more supplies

and more colonists in order to succeed

in order to thrive

so john white decided to return to

england in order to get those needed

supplies and colonists

on august 25th 1587

only three months after first arriving

on roanoke

john white set sail for england

he planned to return with aid in less

than six months

but a series of conflicts with the

spanish navy would delay white's return

mission for three long years

in august of 1590 john white returns to

roanoke island they anchor

offshore and when they arrive it's dark

and it's too late for them to go ashore

but john white is happy

because he sees a fire in the distance

and he assumes that the settlers are

there waiting for him

maybe even have seen his ship and have

lit a bonfire in order to guide him in

the next morning white came ashore

expecting to find the colonists there to

welcome him back

but to his surprise there was no sign of

them the entire settlement was

completely abandoned

john white gets back to roanoke but

there's no sign of anyone and he finds

all the houses have been taken down

and in their place is a very very well

built defensible fort so a little bit of

a mystery you've got this new fort that

wasn't there in 1587 when he last saw

them

and the place is deserted

where have they gone

eventually john white came across a

cryptic clue as to the whereabouts of

the colonists

he found the word

crueltone

mysteriously carved into a wooden post

john white told the colonists when he

left in 1587 that if they were to

abandon the settlement that they should

leave a secret token as he called it

behind so that he would know where to

find them and this seemed to be the

answer here was proatown carved onto the

post

probation was what we call hatteras

today an island about 50 miles to the

south

it's also the name of the tribe of

native americans who lived on the island

but when john white prepared to set sail

to search for the colonists a storm blew

in

and damaged his ship

and he was forced to return to england

unfortunately john white was never able

to return to the new world to search for

the lost colonists

but in recent years archaeologists have

carried out extensive excavations to try

and solve this 400 year old mystery

archaeologists have been digging on

hatteras what was called proatoen and

they have come up with some remarkable

evidence

the first

most important piece of evidence found

was a gold ring that was made in

elizabethan times this was big news

because it seemed to indicate the

possibility that at least one of the

colonists had been on croatoan island

and then another competing team was

digging on hatter's island

and what they found was really

intriguing they actually discovered the

hilt of an elizabethan era sword that

was found in a native american village

now whether or not this is

something that belonged to a lost

colonist remains to be seen

it's possible some did survive long

enough to have a family and that there

would have been assimilation with the

croatoans

and yet considering how much archaeology

that's been done we have no skeletons

where are they

that is a mystery

if we had found dead bodies scattered or

obvious signs of a siege or an attack

that would be the answer that we need

we get this word croatian but did people

actually make it there where did they go

what happened

to this group of settlers it's the

ambiguity that really keeps this legend

alive

[Music]

it's hard to imagine that an entire

colony that was home to over 100 people

could just

vanish the thin air did the colonists at

roanoke simply decide to move somewhere

else

or was there a darker reason

behind the disappearance

you