Ep 5. Roanoke: The Lost Colony

Digging for the Truth season 2 episode 5 is titled "Roanoke: The Lost Colony." This episode centers around the most enduring mystery in American history - the disappearance of the Roanoke colony in 1587. Host Josh Bernstein begins by setting the scene, recounting the story of how a group of English settlers arrived on Roanoke Island, off the coast of what is now North Carolina, with the hope of establishing a permanent colony on behalf of Queen Elizabeth I's new empire. The colony was led by John White, who returned to England to request assistance from the crown while the remainder of the settlers remained on Roanoke.

The mystery deepens as Josh interviews various experts and historians about the Roanoke colony's fate. He starts by visiting Roanoke Island to investigate the site where the colonists originally landed. There, he meets with archaeologist Dr. Eric Deetz, who takes him to see the remains of the fort where the settlers lived in their early months on the island. Deetz explains the difficulties the colonists would have faced, including scarcity of resources, conflicts with Native American tribes, and a harsh climate.

Josh then travels to England to meet with experts who can shed more light on the political and social context of the time. He meets with Professor Robert Bickers, an expert on Elizabethan trade and exploration, who explains the goals and motivations of Queen Elizabeth and her advisors. Josh also meets with Dr. David Quinn, a historian who has studied the reports of earlier English explorations of North America and the Native American tribes who lived there. Both experts offer insights into the challenges the Roanoke colonists would have faced, as well as the interactions they might have had with Native Americans.

Next, Josh travels to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to meet with Native American historian Dr. Blair Rudes. Dr. Rudes takes him through the history of the Tuscarora tribe, who lived on Roanoke Island and the surrounding areas during the time of the English settlement. Dr. Rudes explains the difficulties the Tuscarora would have faced in their interactions with the English, including language barriers and cultural misunderstandings.

Finally, Josh visits the site of an archaeological dig on Hatteras Island in North Carolina. There, archaeologist Mark Horton and his team have uncovered evidence of a possible fort built by the Roanoke colonists after they left Roanoke Island. Josh examines the artifacts and structures discovered by the team and discusses their significance with Dr. Horton. The artifacts include pottery and coins that offer clues to the colonists' origins, as well as a mysterious carving that may be a clue to their ultimate fate.

Throughout the episode, Josh weaves together the historical and archaeological evidence in an attempt to unravel the mystery of the Roanoke colony's disappearance. He discusses various theories, including the possibility that the colonists were killed by Native Americans or that they integrated with local tribes and adopted their way of life. Ultimately, the truth remains elusive, but viewers will be left with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by early English colonists in North America.