Mystery of America’s ‘Lost Colony’ may finally be solved after 440 years, archaeologists say

Mystery of America’s ‘Lost Colony’ may finally be solved after 440 years, archaeologists say

Tiny iron fragments in ancient trash heap reveal fate of America's first English settlers, expert says

After 10 years of research, an archaeologist spoke with Fox News Digital about his team's discoveries related to the lost Roanoke Colony. (Mark Horton; Croatoan Archaeological Society)

The presence of hammerscale is definitive proof that the colonists moved over to Hatteras Island and lived among the Croatoans, according to archaeologists. (Mark Horton / Croatoan Archaeological Society)

The excavations took place on North Carolina's Hatteras Island, which was previously known as Croatoan Island. (Mark Horton / Croatoan Archaeological Society)

Archaeologists say that the discovery of 16th-century English artifacts on Hatteras Island reveals the Roanoke settlers' fate. (Mark Horton / Croatoan Archaeological Society)

The colonists' fate may not have been tragic, and they likely assimilated into Native American society based on archaeological excavations, said an expert. (Mark Horton / Croatoan Archaeological Society)