Archaeologists, led by Mark Horton, believe they have solved the 440-year-old mystery of the Roanoke Colony, America's first permanent English settlement. New evidence, particularly the discovery of hammerscale in Native American trash heaps on Hatteras Island (formerly Croatoan Island), suggests the colonists assimilated into the Croatoan society rather than perishing. This finding indicates the English colonists continued iron-working within the Native American community.
Mystery of America's 'Lost Colony' may finally be solved after 440 years, archaeologists say
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Archaeologists, led by Mark Horton, believe they have solved the 440-year-old mystery of the Roanoke Colony, America's first permanent English settlement. New evidence, particularly the discovery of hammerscale in Native American trash heaps on Hatteras Island (formerly Croatoan Island), suggests the colonists assimilated into the Croatoan society rather than perishing. This finding indicates the English colonists continued iron-working within the Native American community.
Trending- 1 1587: A group of over 100 colonists settled on North Carolina's Roanoke Island, led by Sir Walter Raleigh; John White returned to England for supplies.
- 2 August 1590: John White returned to Roanoke Island to find the settlement abandoned.
- 3 Late 16th or early 17th century: Hammerscale found at the site dates to this period.
- 4 1700s: Historical evidence describes people with blue or gray eyes who could remember people who used to be able to read from books.
- 5 Early 18th century: Descendants of assimilated colonists carried on living on Hatteras Island.
- 6 Past decade: Mark Horton and Scott Dawson have worked to uncover the mystery.
- Potential resolution of a major historical mystery
- New understanding of early Anglo-Native American relations
- Continued public fascination with the legend despite scientific evidence
What: Archaeological research suggesting the Roanoke Lost Colony settlers assimilated into the Croatoan Native American society.
When: Mystery ongoing for 440 years; settlement in 1587; John White returned in August 1590; research conducted for the past decade.
Where: Roanoke Island, Hatteras Island (formerly Croatoan Island), North Carolina.
Why: To solve the long-standing mystery of the disappearance of the Roanoke colonists.
How: By excavating Native American 'middens' (rubbish heaps) on Hatteras Island and finding hammerscale, guns, nautical fittings, small cannonballs, engraved slate, stylus, wine glasses, and beads, indicating English iron-working technology and presence.