In 1587, 117 English colonists vanished from Roanoke Island, leaving behind only the word 'CROATOAN' carved into a post. For centuries, their fate was America's oldest mystery. Now, DNA analysis of Lumbee tribal families, combined with archaeological digs on Hatteras Island, suggests the colonists didn't die—they integrated into Indigenous communities and their descendants walk among us today.
This episode was generated with AI assistance.