Roanoke Colonies Research Newsletter
Volume 6.1 (November 1998)

Croatan Fall Season Uncovers Important Finds

During a thrilling moment in October, David Phelps, director of the Coastal Archaeology Office of East Carolina University, along with local Outer Banks volunteers on the Croatan Project, found a sixteenthcentury signet ring at the dig site near Buxton on Hatteras Island. “Everyone was screaming and excited, let’s put it that way,” Phelps is quoted as saying about the moment of discovery, according to the Virginian-Pilot (“Colony Lost in Time, Found In Another Space?” 14 Oct. 1998: A1+). Decorated with a lion crest, the ring may provide the first definite connection of material culture between the English colonization attempts on Roanoke Island and the Native American village site on Hatteras.

Originally scheduled for this past summer, the fifth season excavation had to be postponed due to a lack of funds. However, by October, a $15,580 grant from the Richard J. Reynolds III and Marie M. Reynolds Foundation allowed the fall dig to go forward. In addition, the BB&T Center at East Carolina University has agreed to fund preparation of the site report.

In mid-October, the signet ring was found four feet underground. Beneath a gray-brown patina, the ring is made of ten-carat gold. The shank of the ring has been broken; the edges were turned under after the shank was either damaged or purposely cut so that it might have been worn on a necklace.

On the ring’s face is a side view of a prancing lion, standing on three legs with its front paw lifted in the air. The crest is carved out of the top surface and, thus, would most likely have been used, among other things, to create an impression on wax seals. Because such crests were based on coats of arms, it is hoped that the ring’s original owner can be traced.

Similar rings have been found at Jamestown but were brass. Because the ring is gold, it was most likely owned originally by a gentleman. The ring was possibly given to a Native American who lived at Croatan or else may have been left there by an English settler. “The chances of this type of ring being in trade networks after colonization is very slim,” Phelps said. “So its best placement is in the 1580s.”
The excitement of this year’s excavations was shared between Phelps, his assistant director Charles Heath, his lab assistant Katie Galloway, his field assistant Alexis Ionnitiu, and the crew of local volunteers. In addition, Cape Hatteras School eighth graders each had a morning or afternoon during which he or she helped at the site. The students helped by carrying sand and sifting it to search for artifacts. Too, five-year-old Christian Lisko of Elizabeth City, with the help of his mom, Lois Lisko, arranged to have a tour of the site and had a chance to search for artifacts with the volunteers. According to the Virginian-Pilot (“Boy Joins Archaeologists on Big Dig,” 2 Nov. 1998: B1+), Christian had a great adventure. “I found a piece of pottery that was the biggest piece they found that day,” Lisko said. He also helped find the vertebrae of fish and small mammals during his visit.

The Croatan Project is now seeking funds to continue its excavations this coming April and October. Contributions are welcome. Individuals can make donations through the East Carolina Foundation, c/o Scott Wells, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353.

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