Crucible artifact found on site from the English's 1585 expedition.
National Park Service
Archeology has been a vital component of our understanding of the rich history at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Since the late 1800s, archeologists have made numerous discoveries on site, from the location of the earthen fort in 1947 to the recovery of pottery shards in 2016.
Without the dedicated work of archeologists at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, it would be even more difficult to tell the stories of the English colonists and Algonquian indians who walked these grounds over 400 years ago.
Since the 1890s, archeology has played an important role in our understanding of the diverse history of Roanoke Island. While the location of the "lost colony" and the fate of the colonists remains unknown, the advancements made by archeology constantly bring us one step closer to unravelling the mystery.
Archaeological digs took place in September, October and December of 2021 on the grounds of Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Based on previous digs, this site was determined to be the location of a 1585 workshop used by metallurgist Joachim Gans and scientist Thomas Hariot.
Three buildings, including a costume shop housing 5,000 vintage costumes created by well-known designers, designer sketches, and photos, were destroyed by fire in the Waterside Theatre complex at Fort Raleigh NHS in 2007. The monetary loss was $2-3 million, but the cultural loss was incalculable. By learning about significant NPS fires, we can help prevent further tragedy. Includes questions to increase your fire risk awareness.
Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park.
The evergreen maritime forest at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is an ecosystem unique to the Outer Banks. Learn about the wide variety of trees and plants that make up this landscape.
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To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation.
