Empire

272. Solving The Mystery of America's Lost Colony

26 snips
Jul 15, 2025
Join archaeologist Mark Horton, who has been uncovering the mysteries of the Roanoke Colony since 2008, as he reveals his latest discoveries at the dig site. The discussion dives into the potential resolution of the 400-year-old mystery surrounding America’s Lost Colony. Horton also critiques historical narratives shaped by racism and explores how misleading historical accounts have influenced public perception. Delight in tales of fraud, intriguing artifacts, and the complex relationships between early settlers and Native Americans.
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INSIGHT

Roanoke Colony's Mysterious Disappearance

  • The Roanoke Colony vanished mysteriously, leaving only a cryptic "Croatoan" carved on a tree.
  • This disappearance has been a historical enigma for over 400 years, sparking endless speculation.
INSIGHT

Racist Framing of Lost Colonists

  • Racist Victorian historians framed the lost colonists as victims massacred by "savages".
  • This narrative ignored the possibility of colonists integrating with Native Americans.
ANECDOTE

John White and Croatoan Clue

  • John White was an artist and governor who mapped Croatoan Island and led the colony.
  • He found the colony abandoned with "Croatoan" carved and no distress mark, implying voluntary relocation.
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