Kip Tabb : Joachim Gans: A Life of Discovery, 500th Anniversary

By Kip Tabb | Outer Banks Voice on 12th May 2024

Joachim Gans historic marker. (Photo credit: Kip Tabb/OBV)

By Kip Tabb | Outer Banks Voice

At the entrance of Fort Raleigh National Historic Site stands a historic marker bearing the name of Joachim Gans. The inscription, though brief, hints at a fascinating story that sheds light on life in 16th century England.

“Scientist: Jewish native of Prague. Led metallurgy experiments, 1585-86, at the first Roanoke colony near here. Part of Lane’s English expedition,” it reads.

Joachim Gans, a practicing Jew, arrived on Roanoke Island in 1585, making him the first Jew to set foot in the New World. During this time, being Jewish in England was illegal, although some tolerance existed under certain circumstances. Queen Elizabeth, while not fanatical in religious matters, permitted Jews to reside in the country, with her personal physician being one.

Renowned as one of the finest metallurgists in Europe, Gans was invited to England in 1581 to advise on copper production. He successfully improved the process, reducing production time and discovering new uses for byproducts.

Working at the Mines Royal in northern England, Gans caught the attention of Sir Walter Raleigh, who was granted a royal patent by Queen Elizabeth to establish a colony in the New World to rival Spain’s dominance. Gans became part of the 1585 expedition to Roanoke Island.

While the expedition faced challenges, Gans, under the leadership of Thomas Harriot, conducted significant metallurgical experiments. He identified deposits of iron, silver, and copper on the island, with evidence suggesting that the native tribes highly valued copper for jewelry.

Archaeological excavations at Fort Raleigh in 1990 revealed Gans’ laboratory, complete with glass shards, crucibles, and traces of a forge. The site is believed to be the first science center in the New World, where Gans conducted groundbreaking research with makeshift equipment.

Upon the expedition’s return to England in 1586, Gans settled in Bristol, continuing his work in metallurgy. However, due to his Jewish faith and refusal to embrace Christianity, he was eventually expelled from England on charges of blasphemy.

While records of Gans post-England life are scarce, his contributions to science and metallurgy in the New World remain a testament to his pioneering spirit and expertise.