Experts believe they may have finally solved the centuries-old mystery of America’s lost Roanoke colony through hidden details discovered in a 400-year-old map.
A blank spot on the historic “La Virginea Pars” map, drawn by colonist John White, has revealed a concealed fort symbol when analysed by British Museum experts.
The location corresponds to a site in present-day Bertie County, North Carolina, where English ceramic artefacts were later unearthed.
The discovery could explain what happened to more than 100 English settlers who vanished without trace from Roanoke Island in the late 16th century.
The location corresponds to a site in present-day Bertie County, North Carolina, where English ceramic artifacts were later unearthed
The British Museum
In 1587, a group of English colonists arrived at Roanoke Island, between North Carolina and the Outer Banks, aiming to establish the first permanent English settlement.
The expedition, backed by Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh, carried 115 explorers, including the first women and children to travel to the Americas.
Among them was Eleanor White Dare, daughter of Governor John White, who gave birth to Virginia Dare, the first English baby born in the New World.
Governor White returned to England for supplies but was delayed for three years by the Anglo-Spanish war.
MORE LIKE THIS:
- Archaeology breakthrough: Secret underground tunnel system built by Incas beneath Cusco discovered
- Archaeology breakthrough: Kent field reveals ‘extraordinary’ discovery as 1,500-year-old Anglo-Saxon sword uncovered
- Archaeology breakthrough: 2,000-year-old gold coins and jewellery found in luxury Pompeii bathhouse in ‘once-in-a-century’ discovery
When he finally returned in 1590, on his granddaughter’s third birthday, the colony was deserted with only the word ‘CROATOAN’ carved into a wooden post.
In 2012, British Museum experts made a breakthrough when examining John White’s map on a light box.
Curator Kim Sloan and paper conservator Alice Rugheimer discovered something unexpected behind a blank cover-up on the map: the symbol of a fort.
“I think we just discovered the intended site for the ‘Cittie of Raleigh,’ the colony that John White was sent to Virginia to found,” Sloan told Popular Mechanics.
The revelation came after close inspection showed two faint outlines that appeared to be repairs, where small pieces of paper had been used to cover an error.
One of these repairs was left completely blank, with no correction drawn over it.
The hidden fort symbol corresponded to a location near present-day Bertie County, on the western end of Albemarle Sound, less than 100 miles from where the Roanoke colonists were last seen.
This site, designated as 31BR246, yielded a significant discovery in 2007 when archaeologist Nicholas Luccketti of the James River Institute for Archaeology found pieces of English ceramic artifacts.
The revelation came after close inspection showed two faint outlines that appeared to be repairs
The British Museum
The fragments were identified as Border ware, a specific type of English pottery that Luccketti noted was “limited to the earliest settlement sites in Virginia, possibly dating back to the sixteenth century.”
The discovery suggested researchers had found a previously unknown English settlement, now known as Site X.
North Carolina’s First Colony Foundation conducted extensive investigations at Site X using satellite-based remote sensing technology.
While they found no evidence of a settlement layout similar to Jamestown or Plymouth, archaeologists uncovered additional English artifacts.
These included more pieces of Border ware, an early type of aglet used for shoelaces, and a tenter hook used for securing cloth.
Though the findings suggest Site X was unlikely to have housed the entire Roanoke colony, experts concluded there was definite English presence at the location.
The First Colony Foundation believes these artifacts could only have come from the Roanoke colonists.
Another potential clue emerged in 1937 with the discovery of the Dare Stone, believed to contain writing from Eleanor White Dare.
Another potential clue emerged in 1937 with the discovery of the Dare Stone, believed to contain writing from Eleanor White Dare
Brenau University
The stone featured a cross, marking it as an emergency symbol, with a message reading: “Ananias Dare & Virginia Went Hence Unto Heaven 1591 Anye Englishman Shew John White Govr Via.”
The reverse side, written from Eleanor’s perspective, described how the colonists left Roanoke and faced two years of “Misarie.”
According to the stone’s message, more than half of the settlers perished during this period.
The inscription also mentioned news of a ship appearing off the coast.
The First Colony Foundation continues to investigate Site X for further evidence of English presence and clues about the Lost Colony’s fate.
Experts speculate that rather than housing the entire colony, Site X may have been a refuge for a small colonial family seeking help from a Native American village called Mettaquem.
The discovery of English artefacts at the location marked on White’s map has opened new possibilities about the colonists’ movements after leaving Roanoke.
Researchers remain committed to uncovering more evidence that could finally explain what happened to the 115 settlers who disappeared in 1587.