The discovery that led to the end of the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke was the evidence found on Hatteras Island in the 1580s, which suggested that the settlers had likely integrated with local Native American tribes. The colony, established by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1585, disappeared mysteriously, with the last clue being the carved word “CROATOAN” on a tree. This led to theories of assimilation or relocation to nearby territories. The fate of the colonists remains unclear, as no definitive archaeological evidence has established their ultimate fate, but the discovery pointed toward interactions with indigenous peoples.