Introduction First emerging from this ambitious, ongoing project were lifestyles very different from what had been previously offered by contemporary scholars. Because of this discrepancy and in light of the new findings, perhaps the present state is a fortuitous time to revisit Hatteras Island’s past, reexamine what was discussed beforehand, and then merge it with new findings to produce a sharper image. Without bothering to recite the multitude of published descriptions of early island culture, suffice it to say they were not the least bit flattering. The island was typically portrayed as isolated, a rarely visited backwater of minor import, socially deprived, and inhabited by resourceful, but malnourished, barely surviving families suffering varying degrees of ‘pedigree collapse’. Presumably, these encumbrances resulted from surrounding treacherous shoals, shifting sea bottom patterns and vast expanses of adjacent, unnavigable waters functioning in concert to keep visitors away. A perceived paucity of natural resources did little to soften this anemic and antiquated view. While admittedly, some of the above was occasionally true to some extent, they were only factually correct during interspersed periods of the island’s past. However, in their totality, they were deficient, inadequate, and woefully incorrect interpretations shared from less than enthusiastic efforts which often led to the parroting of others who were painting with large brushes. In contrast, these pages will touch upon a world much different; one of paradise soon lost after the European conquest began and nearly gone today. It will also pose many more questions needing to be answered. Native Americans were not ignorant savages of the land and superior minded invaders often blindly overlooked what deserved mindful attention. Most assuredly, Ralegh’s colonists were also not immune to these ingrained precepts, especially after evacuating Roanoke Island. However, their continued survival in a harsh world required both assistance and the wherewithal to counter many threats. Heading their list of dire necessities was the need for acquiring suitable, defendable shelter. Next, in order of priority was procuring a sufficient fresh water supply. Third in importance, was obtaining sufficient quantities of varied food types, fourth were means of passage, and last was a capacity to treat medical issues (e.g.. illness, injury, childbirth). Despite their Spartan ways, the Hatteras tribe mastered all of the above, while harmoniously living as close as symbiotically possible within their environment, as successful aboriginal cultures have accomplished elsewhere in the past. In contrast, the European acts of altering the land must have been bizarre to the indigenous population, at least initially. Lacking a concept of land ownership, presumably, the natives originally envisioned all of Croatoan as theirs, to be defended as necessary for their needs and customs. As a result, their artifacts were widely dispersed and can be found most anywhere about the island, but almost, needless to say; this does not necessarily indicate a village site previously existed somewhere nearby. As is today, for the Hatteras Indians too, it was location, location, location. Exercising first possession as they enjoyed, surely they too, sought the prime location for their village. In the 1990's I was fortunate to assist archaeologist David Phelps, Ph.D. and join the first Croatan Project team. Though not an original member, I was warmly welcomed to the team and eagerly participated in Phelps’ continuing efforts to explore the Hatteras Indian culture and possibly determine the colonists’ fate. From this process of volunteering, I also hired Phelps for several other unrelated archaeological investigations. For context and some minor background, in 1998 I was directed by Phelps to excavate a two square meter transect at the Cape Creek site, through what was a homogenous, windblown sand drift later stabilized by scrubby live oaks. Upon reaching an underlying scallop-shell midden, the archaeological team proceeded to excavate. Deeper down within the underlying midden the team ultimately retrieved several prized artifacts, including a 1583 English musket gunlock assembly and a much-discussed signet ring.
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