The Lost Colony refers to the disappearance of a group of English settlers on Roanoke Island in North Carolina during the late 16th century. Established in 1587 under the leadership of John White, the colony was intended to be the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. When White returned from a supply trip to England in 1590, he found the settlement abandoned, with no clear indication of what had happened to the colonists. The only clue left behind was the word "Croatoan" carved into a tree, suggesting a possible connection to the nearby Croatoan Island and its Native American inhabitants. Various theories have emerged regarding the fate of the settlers, including assimilation with local tribes, relocation, or death due to harsh conditions. Despite numerous investigations, the mystery of the Lost Colony remains unsolved.