Image: Judaculla Rock, Caney Fork, NC Aug 2019

Description: Judaculla Rock is a significant archaeological site that consists of a large soapstone boulder with a series of carvings and petroglyphs on its surface. Located in the Caney Fork Valley, human activity at the site can be traced back to 2000 BC, when the Boulder was used to make bowls, as evidenced by deep depressions in the lower portions of the rock. Some time later, additional etchings were made into the rock, with a total of over 1,400 glyphs being carved into the soft stone. The most prominent of these carvings is the “handprint of Judaculla,” a large hand-shaped glyph carved near the bottom of the rock. Other glyphs resemble humanoid figures, smaller handprints, and eyes. The site is the most significant collection of Pre-Columbian petroglyphs in the region, with the site being considered sacred by the indigenous Cherokee people, many of whom remain in the area and have rich folklore and legends surrounding the site. The site had a new viewing platform installed in 2010, and the site was re-graded to allow for better drainage. In 2013, the site, owing to its great historical significance, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Title: Judaculla Rock, Caney Fork, NC Aug 2019
Credit: Own work
Author: Warren LeMay
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Attribution Required?: Yes