In this episode, we revisit the so-called “Lost Colony” of Roanoke and why it was never truly lost. From John White’s disastrous attempts to return with supplies, to political indifference, imperial distractions, and missed chances at Croatoan, we unpack what likely happened to the settlers—and why the mystery has endured. Along the way, we explore Indigenous perspectives, question long-standing colonial myths, and introduce how Roanoke’s legacy rippled forward into American history, leaving us with more insight than certainty… and plenty to stay curious about. 

The two major sources for this series of episodes are:

• The Secret Token: Myth, Obsession, and the Search for the Lost Colony of Roanoke, by Andrew Lawler, published in 2018 by Anchor Books
• The Lost Colony and Hatteras Island, by Scott Dawson, published in 2020 by The History Press

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