Have you ever heard of Judaculla Rock? The soapstone bolder is famous in Western North Carolina.
I took Belle to see it on our last trip home to the mountains.
The stone, adorned with 1500 petroglyphs, rests in Caney Fork Creek valley near Cullowhee like a silent sentinel of ancient lore.
The verdant valley is secluded. Silent. Peaceful. It evokes strong emotion – and it should.
According to archeologists, the site is ancient. Judaculla Rock dates to the late Archaic Period, between 2000 and 1000 BC. The petroglyphs, themselves, were likely created between 200 and 1400 AD.
Who created the petroglyphs? And why? No one knows.
We do know the Cherokee camped near the rock to quarry soapstone, crafting pipes, beads, bowls, and banner stones. This site held deep spiritual significance for the tribe, who continued to hold ceremonies around Judaculla Rock well into the late 1800s.
The Cherokee closely link the boulder to Tsul ‘Kalu, the most significant of their mythical beings. The stone even carries the Americanized version of Tsul ‘Kalu’s name, Judaculla.
According to Cherokee legends, Tsul ‘Kalu was a towering, slant-eyed giant whose immense size shaped the very contours of Appalachia with his heavy footsteps. His thirst was so great that only entire streams could quench it. A master hunter with the power to control the weather, Tsul ‘Kalu lived on Richland Balsam Mountain at the head of the Tuckaseegee.
The tribe believed the petroglyphs on Judaculla Rock were hunting laws created by Tsul ‘Kalu. They say the scratches and a seven-fingered handprint embedded on its surface were made when he landed on the rock after leaping from his mountaintop home to chase trespassers off his lands.
These Tsul ‘Kalu legends floated in my mind as I stood on the small viewing platform around Judaculla Rock.
They were passed from one generation of the Cherokee tribe to the next – eventually making their way into European settlers’ homes, who passed them down too.
I grew up on them.
So I did what hillbillies do: I whispered those stories to Belle as we gazed down on Judculla Rock.
And when I was done, I wondered if she, too, felt Tsul ‘Kalu’s spirit lingering in the air.
NC and my beloved Oklahoma share a rich Cherokee heritage. There was a gas station in Choteau in the 70’s that had Cherokee writing on its signage.
All of the signs in Cherokee, NC display both English and Cherokee! It’s absolutely wonderful to see. 🙂
Cool story and you covered all the points in a quick read and was very nice hearing that you shared this tale with your daughter. Well written and very nice job my friend.
Thank you, Darren! I appreciate that, hon. 🙂