In Jackson County in the mountains, exists a rock, known as Judaculla Rock, but it is not just any rock, it is a mysterious boulder covered in as many as 1500 ancient petroglyphs. It can be found at the base of a mountain which has an excess of metals and minerals, so much so that there is a detectable electro magnetic interference around the rock.
Archaeologists believe that the carvings were created over many centuries, starting 5000 years ago. To date their meaning has not yet been deciphered, and by whom they were created, is still unknown however local legend says that it was created by a giant.
The name Judaculla is a derived from the Cherokee word Tsul’kalu, which was the name of a giant said to have lived in the area. The word means ‘slanted eyed giant’. Tsul’Kalu was said to be 7 feet tall with seven digits on each of his hands and feet, with a body that is completely covered in hair. He was also said to have taken a human wife for himself.
Tsul’Khalu was very important to the Cherokees, as he controlled the wind, rain, thunder and lightning, and since he owned all the game in the mountains, it was only with his permission that the Cherokees were allowed to hunt. He also had the ability to take people to the ‘spirit world’.
There are several explanations for how and why Tsul’kalu made the carvings in the rock:
-One explanation is that the carvings are hunting laws that Tsul’kalu laid down for the Cherokees.
-Another is that Tsul’kalu used the rock to catch himself when he jumped down from his farm which was un a nearby field known as ‘Judaculla Old Fields’.
The rock has been an important site for the Cherokees, whom used it for religious rituals until the 18th century. Unfortunately today, the rock is subjected to various conditions, that is causing it to slowly weather away with its purpose and origin still shrouded in mystery.
While reading about Judaculla Rock, I realised how similar this story is to other mythologies regarding giants that lived on earth, and how there seems to be similar stories across different cultures. What also intrigued me is that his name emphasis the fact that he had slanted eyes which could indicate that Tsul’Kalu was extra-terrestrial perhaps?