Which colony vanished with no skeletal remains, leading to a famous mystery in early American history?

Which colony vanished with no skeletal remains, leading to a famous mystery in early American history?

• A. Roanoke
• B. Jamestown
• C. Plymouth
• D. Massachusetts Bay

Answer: (A)

The concept here is recognizing the famous Lost Colony narrative—the one settlement that disappeared without a trace and left no skeletal remains to explain what happened. Roanoke was established in 1587 on Roanoke Island, near present‑day North Carolina. When a relief voyage finally arrived in 1590, the settlers were gone. The only clue was the word Croatoan carved on a post, and there were no graves or skeletal remains to reveal their fate. This combination—disappearance plus a lack of physical remains—made Roanoke the enduring mystery in early American history. By contrast, the other colonies persisted and left evidence of their people, so they don’t fit the description of vanishing with no remains.

The concept here is recognizing the famous Lost Colony narrative—the one settlement that disappeared without a trace and left no skeletal remains to explain what happened. Roanoke was established in 1587 on Roanoke Island, near present‑day North Carolina. When a relief voyage finally arrived in 1590, the settlers were gone. The only clue was the word Croatoan carved on a post, and there were no graves or skeletal remains to reveal their fate. This combination—disappearance plus a lack of physical remains—made Roanoke the enduring mystery in early American history. By contrast, the other colonies persisted and left evidence of their people, so they don’t fit the description of vanishing with no remains.