Can Discovered Algonquian Artifacts Solve Mystery Of The Lost Colony On Roanoke Island?

Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com - The enigmatic tale of the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke and Sir Walter Raleigh's early explorers remains one of American history's most captivating unsolved mysteries. Recent investigations have shed new light on this intriguing riddle. Researchers have focused their efforts on the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, where they have uncovered additional evidence of a farmstead belonging to the "Algonquian village of Roanoke" (also spelled Roanoac).

The Lost Colony, design by William Ludwell Sheppard, engraving by William James Linton. Credit: Public Domain

This Indigenous community was vital in hosting the English explorers during their expedition in 1584. These findings provide valuable insights into the interactions between the settlers and the native inhabitants, potentially offering clues to unraveling the fate of the lost colony.

Excavations in March 2024 built upon the intriguing discoveries made during the summer of 2023 by archaeologists from The First Colony Foundation. Their initial findings included shards of Algonquian pottery dating back to the 1500s, suggesting the presence of an Indigenous settlement in the area during that period. Additionally, they uncovered a ring of copper wire, which they hypothesize could have been an earring worn by a warrior from one of the local Indigenous tribes. These artifacts provide valuable insights into the historical inhabitants and their cultural practices, offering a glimpse into the region's rich heritage.

“Finding domestic pottery—the type used for cooking—in close proximity to an apparent piece of Native American jewelry strongly confirms we are digging in the midst of a settlement,” said Dr. Eric Klingelhofer, the First Colony Foundation’s Vice President of Research. “And Roanoac is the only known village at that site.”

“The copper ring indicates contact with the English,” Klingelhofer continued.

The copper ring unearthed at the Roanoke Island site provides valuable insights into the interactions between English explorers and indigenous peoples. Its construction, made of drawn copper, suggests it was likely brought to America by English explorers as part of their trade goods, as indigenous tribes at the time lacked the technology to produce such rounded strands of copper.

Credit: The First Colony Foundation

Additionally, neither French nor Spanish explorers ventured as far north as Roanoke Island for trade purposes, further indicating the ring's English origin. Notably, copper held spiritual significance for many indigenous tribes, making it a valuable commodity for trade. The presence of this copper ring sheds light on the exchange of goods and cultural interactions between the English explorers and the native populations they encountered during their exploration of the region.

The recent archaeological dig aimed to uncover evidence of a farmstead where Algonquian families resided, worked, and cultivated crops. While artifacts were discovered during the previous summer's excavation, the primary objective of this more recent endeavor was to find tangible proof of these agricultural settlements. The archaeologists successfully recovered charcoal remnants and shards of Algonquian cooking pots, providing valuable insights into the daily lives of these indigenous communities.

Furthermore, the cumulative evidence gathered from the past two digs appears to corroborate the theory that the village of Roanoke was fortified with a palisade (high surrounding walls) and comprised approximately nine houses occupied by the elite warrior class. In contrast, the working-class population resided outside these walls on farmsteads, cultivating crops to sustain themselves and the ruling class.

“The objects we found are important, but it’s their relationship to different soils which are evidence of links to the past, and together that’s what tells the story,” said Klingelhofer. “And we’re beginning to see that this site was more of a capital with a tribal seat where a ruler or chief lived, and it would be palisaded to keep him safe.”

Credit: The First Colony Foundation

“The new findings confirm a theory that matches what we know of the village,” added Klingelhofer. “It was described as a palisaded village because the explorers came here and recorded it. And these findings add to our story.”

The enigma surrounding the Lost Colony extends beyond the question of where the English settlers ultimately went; it also encompasses the mystery of where the 117 men, women, and children lived during their time on Roanoke Island. Historical records indicate that the colonists intended to relocate approximately 50 miles inland, and Salmon Creek lies roughly that distance away. The First Colony Foundation has been conducting extensive research at two sites in that area for several years and is currently seeking a third potential site.

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Additionally, another exploration is planned for this summer at the nearby Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. The primary objective of this investigation is to uncover evidence of the colonists' original settlement on the island. By piecing together these archaeological clues, researchers hope to shed light on the elusive fate of the Lost Colony and the lives they led during their time on Roanoke Island.

Written by Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com Staff Writer