The lost colony of Roanoke.

The Lost Colony of Roanoke: Theories Behind America's Oldest Mystery

In 1587, Sir Walter Raleigh funded the establishment of a British colony on Roanoke Island, off the coast of present-day North Carolina. Among the settlers was John White, an artist and mapmaker. The 115 colonists arrived in July and quickly settled in. During their stay, White's daughter, Eleanor Dare, gave birth to the first English child born in the Americas, Virginia Dare. At first, the expedition appeared successful.

However, when White returned to England for supplies, he was delayed due to ongoing conflicts with Spain. By the time he returned three years later, the colony had vanished. The only clues left behind were the word "Croatoan" carved into a post and "Cro" etched into a tree. These cryptic messages have fueled centuries of speculation. What really happened to the Roanoke settlers? Here are some leading theories.

Theories About the Disappearance of Roanoke Colony

1. Cannibalism and Disease

Some speculate the settlers resorted to cannibalism, either due to starvation or as a result of violent conflict. Reports from Native American tribes suggest internal disputes among the colonists. Some archaeologists theorize that an unknown plague may have led to paranoia and chaos, ultimately leading to the colony’s demise. Though no concrete evidence of cannibalism has been found, it's not entirely implausible given the desperate conditions.

2. The Mysterious "Croatoan" Connection

The word "Croatoan" has appeared in various historical mysteries. In 1888, stagecoach robber Black Bart allegedly carved it into a jail wall before disappearing. Writer Ambrose Bierce reportedly inscribed it on his bedpost before vanishing in Mexico in 1913. The term also surfaced in the logbook of the ghost ship Carroll A. Deering, which ran aground near Cape Hatteras in 1921. Even Edgar Allan Poe supposedly muttered the word on his deathbed. Whether coincidence or something more sinister, its repeated appearance remains eerie.

3. Witchcraft and Native American Folklore

Legends from local tribes tell of a sorceress roaming the woods near Roanoke. Some historians suggest the settlers or local Native Americans could have been accused of witchcraft, leading to a violent confrontation. Additionally, indigenous folklore speaks of spirits that could absorb humans into the land. Some believe the colonists may have succumbed to these supernatural forces.

4. Spanish Attack

During this period, England and Spain were at war over control of the Americas. Spanish troops stationed in Florida may have traveled north and destroyed the colony to eliminate English influence. However, there is little direct evidence to confirm this theory.

5. Political Sabotage

Anthropologist Lee Miller proposed that Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth I’s Secretary of State, may have orchestrated the colony’s failure to sabotage Sir Walter Raleigh. If true, any records of their fate might have been deliberately erased to cover up this political betrayal.

6. Migration or Integration with Native Tribes

One plausible theory is that the colonists abandoned Roanoke due to dwindling supplies and moved inland, possibly integrating with local tribes like the Croatoans, Chowanocs, or Weapemeoc. Evidence supporting this includes European-made artifacts found at Native American sites and accounts of light-skinned, English-speaking individuals among tribes.

A series of engraved stones, known as the Dare Stones, surfaced between 1937 and 1941. The first stone, attributed to Eleanor Dare, claimed the settlers moved inland but succumbed to illness and tribal conflicts. While many of these stones were later debunked, the original remains a topic of debate.

7. Conflict with Native Americans

Jamestown secretary William Strachey wrote that Chief Powhatan confessed to killing the Roanoke settlers for allying with a rival tribe. However, this claim remains disputed, as John Smith, leader of Jamestown, never mentioned it in his own accounts.

What Really Happened?

The fate of the Roanoke Colony remains one of history’s greatest mysteries. While many theories exist—ranging from logical explanations to supernatural speculation—the most widely accepted possibility is that the settlers integrated with Native American tribes.

What do you think happened to the lost colony of Roanoke? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and explore more historical mysteries with us!