Lost Colony: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	Roanoke Island colony
Date	1587 - 1590

Photos and Videos

Map showing the location of the Lost Colony, an early English settlement, on the coast of present-day North Carolina. The map highlights North Carolina and its neighboring states, with the Lost Colony marked near the Atlantic Ocean. An inset globe in the corner provides geographic context within North America.

Illustration of two colonial men examining a tree with the word "CROATOAN" carved into it, with an inset showing a close-up of the carving.

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

9 Mysterious Disappearances of People Other Than Amelia Earhart The Lost Colony of Roanoke Today in History—August 18: The Day the Lost Colony Went Missing Massachusetts Bay Colony Cahaba Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Site Babylon Chichén Itzá Troy American colonies Sodom and Gomorrah Mohenjo-daro Taxila

North Carolina: flag

North Carolina

state, United States

United States

country, North America

Key People

Engraving by J. Pofselwhite of Walter Raleigh wearing an ornate, patterned doublet, ruffled collar, and feathered hat, with one hand on his hip.

Sir Walter Raleigh

English explorer

Illustration of John White and two men examining a tree with

John White

British artist and explorer

Virginia Dare: baptism

Virginia Dare

English colonist