Final answer:
The lost colony of Roanoke likely disappeared due to a combination of famine and disease, conflict with Native Americans, and strained relations caused by the English settlers' behavior. The word 'Croatoan' carved into a tree at the abandoned site may indicate they tried to join a nearby Native American community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mysterious disappearance of the lost colony of Roanoke has been a topic of fascination and research for many years. Possible causes for the disappearance include famine and disease, exacerbated by poor relations with local Native American tribes due to conflict and the resultant lack of assistance that could have come in the form of food and support. The English also contributed to a strained relationship through their rash and occasionally violent behavior, leading to a distrust and fear of the colonizers among the native population. When John White returned to Roanoke, he found the colony abandoned, with the cryptic word Croatoan carved into a post or a tree. This led to speculation that the colonists may have sought refuge with the Native American community on a nearby island by that name, only to possibly face further struggles such as integrating with or being rejected by the natives.
Another factor that could have led to the failure of the Roanoke colony was the introduction of European diseases, which devastated the native population and likely sowed further discord between them and the settlers. The specific fate of the colonists after they left the initial settlement is unclear, and no definitive evidence has been found that conclusively explains their disappearance.