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What did the carved word CROATOAN tell White?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What happened to the colonists left on Roanoke Island in 1587?·3 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: that some had gone to Croatoan, while others had already moved inland as plannedAhead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. That some had gone to Croatoan, while others had already moved inland as planned. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

It is the only message the colonists left. White and the colonists had agreed a code: carve the destination, with a cross if in distress⁠[1].

Answers 3

Evidence: 1 for
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
That the whole colony had moved to Croatoan.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: 1 for
Still possible

History

  1. Hakluyt & White puts forward: that the whole colony had moved to Croatoan.
  2. Hakluyt & White puts forward: that some had gone to Croatoan, while others had already moved inland as planned.
  3. Hakluyt & White: white took it as a certain token of their safe being at Croatoan.For: That the whole colony had moved to Croatoan.
  4. Hakluyt & White: the plan to move fifty miles inland was made before White left; Croatoan is not fifty miles into the mainland.For: That some had gone to Croatoan, while others had already moved inland as planned.
  5. Asked on this site
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