Researchers say they have new clue to Lost Colony

As reported in the News and Observer a couple of weeks ago, a new look at a 425-year-old map has yielded a tantalizing clue about the fate of the Lost Colony, the settlers who disappeared from North Carolina's Roanoke Island in the late 16th century.

Experts from the First Colony Foundation and the British Museum in London discussed their findings recently. Their focus: the "Virginea Pars" map of Virginia and North Carolina created by explorer John White in the 1580s and owned by the British Museum since 1866.

"We believe that this evidence provides conclusive proof that they moved westward up the Albemarle Sound to the confluence of the Chowan and Roanoke rivers," said James Horn, vice president of research and historical interpretation at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and author of a 2010 book about the Lost Colony.

Read the full article.

Check out this blog for images of the discussed map elements as well as some dialogue on people’s reactions.

Editors Note: It was very interesting to read about this.  Obviously, the map in question has existed for over 400 years and only with a recent re-examination have “new” conclusions been reached.  Though, it does not appear that all are in agreement!

You may remember that a recent Upfront with NGS post talked about “Everyone Makes Mistakes: Why You Should Review Your Research Notes.”  Basically, it never hurts to revisit source documents and it may actually help! 

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