Earthwork

Earthwork

Quick Facts

Location:

Manteo, NC

Significance:

Reconstructed Earthwork

Amenities

3 listed

Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Scenic View/Photo Spot

The original earthwork was built by the English during the expeditions to Roanoke Island in the late 1500s. However, why the earthwork was built and when it was built remains a bit of a mystery. What is known is that Ralph Lane, the expedition leader of the 1585 expedition, was familiar with and had built similar earthworks to this one. Also, that artifacts pertaining to metallurgical work were found just to the west of the earthwork, further reinforcing the leading idea that this earthwork was built in 1585. However, no evidence yet has been uncovered to prove that, or to explain the purpose of the earthwork.

The trench of the earthwork was excavated by archeologist J.C. Harrington in 1947, which determined the shape of the earthwork. In 1950, using techniques from the late 1500s, archeologists reconstructed the earthwork by excavated out the fill material in the trenches and piling the material into walls.