

Lost Colony of Roanoke: the Untold Story
May 19, 2025
In a captivating discussion, Professor Robbie Richardson, an expert on Indigenous and European cultural interactions, examines the mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. He sheds light on the famous clue 'Croatoan,' exploring the lives and perspectives of the Croatoan people. The conversation dives into the complexities of colonial legacies, the overlooked journeys of Indigenous individuals to London, and the need to recenter historical narratives around Indigenous experiences. Richardson's insights challenge long-held misconceptions and offer a fresh view on this historical enigma.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Croatoan Clue Suggests Integration
- The lost colony left the word "Croatoan" carved in a tree, pointing to a neighboring Indigenous group, not a message of disaster.
- This suggests the colony likely moved or integrated with the Croatoan people rather than dying of starvation or violence.
Croatoans: Settled Agricultural Society
- The Croatoans were part of the Eastern Algonquian people with settled villages and agricultural life.
- Their verb-based language emphasized action and relationships, reflecting a socially interconnected community.
John White's Village Imagery
- John White's depictions of Indigenous village life reveal a settled, organized community rather than nomadic hunter-gatherers.
- These images combined knowledge and colonial propaganda to suggest Indigenous agricultural success and colonists' potential to replicate it.