the significance of the lost colony
Historical RelevanceThe Lost Colony of Roanoke has continued to be a topic of wonder because of how important it was to the history of the colonization of the New World. It was the first attempt to set up a permanent settlement and even though it was a failure, it paved the way for future settlements. The birth of Virginia Dare was also crucial to the continuation of our fascination in the colony, as she was the first child born in the New World of European descent. This began the mindset that the land found there belonged just as much to the Europeans as it did to the Native Americans.
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EvidenceUltimately, the evidence suggests that the colonists of Roanoke assimilated into Native American tribes. The stories on the Dare Stones, the hidden Site X, and the original Croatoan clue all suggest this. With that said, none of the evidence is strong enough to close the case without doubt. This is especially true because of the abundance of false evidence. This false evidence is likely derived from financial hardship and the human want for adventure.
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Theories
There are so many theories about what happened to the Lost Colonist. However, the colonist weren't even considered lost until 1837. Prior to that most people, including John White, assumed the colonist had left Roanoke and joined a friendly Native American Tribe. Yet, here were are today with an abundance of theories ranging from logical to mystical that account for what happened to the Roanoke Colonist. This is significant because it shows some glimpses of racism in our nation's past that have reopened a mystery that originally wasn't believed to be all that mysterious.
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relevance in the media
The mystery of the lost colony of Roanoke is only one of many examples of the way in which the media interprets and influences the public's imagination. For every grand mystery, there will always be an abundance of conspiracies that defy all logic and reason. This has to do with a combination of the influences of ancient mythology, religion, modern psychology, and the innate human need to feel a sense of control and meaning. The part of our human tendency to imagine what could lie beyond our understanding will keep conspiracies like the lost colony, and similar mysteries, relevant for many years to come.
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