NAGS HEAD – Mystery is no stranger to the Jockey’s Ridge in Nags Head. For centuries, scientists and archaeologists have probed inside the largest sand dune on the east coast. But until now none had stumbled upon a 100 foot long space hidden under its sandy surface.
Jockey’s Ridge contains a number of well documented artifacts, from the lost Putt Putt golf course to an antebellum version of the Nags Head Hotel. The shifting sands sometimes give passer-bys a glimpse of these artifacts from the past.
But what has remained hidden, and what researchers at the Outer Bank History Center feverishly hope lays within the mysterious chamber is essentially the Holy Grail of all Outer Banks archeology: the lost grave of Virginia Dare.
“Wouldn’t that be fantastic?” mused Brent Evans, lead historian at OBHC. “Finding Virginia Dare’s final resting place would fill hundreds of blank pages in our local history.”
When pressed for what those questions were, Evans pointed toward the window and shouted “Benghazi squirrel!” and dashed from the room.
Archaeologists plan to begin excavation on Monday to reach the chamber but they will have to work quickly: the sale of Jockey’s Ridge to local developer Saga Construction was recently approved by Dpt. of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Construction of a new subdivision is slated to begin January 1st.