The Mystery Behind This Ancient Marvel In North Carolina Will Baffle You

Buried in the mountains of Jackson County, just outside of Sylva, there exists a very, very strange rock. The rock is rather large and adorned with mysterious and indistinguishable carvings and writings. The ancient petroglyphs are said to date back almost 3000 years. The story of the rock and how it came to be is unknown, but deeply rooted in Cherokee folklore.

Judaculla Rock

Judaculla Rock has no definitive origin and is said to date back to before the Cherokee Indians inhabited the land. The drawings, carvings, writings all seem to be some sort of 'map' or maybe a story? Archaeologists believe the rock might be 2,000-3,0000 years old.

Flickr / Jimmy Emerson DVM

The name Judaculla derives from the Cherokee word Tsul`kälû´which is the name of a giant who was said to inhabit the area prior to the Cherokee Indians. Tsul`kälû´translates to 'he has them slanting.' The slanting referring to his eyes. Tsul`kälû´(or Judaculla) was said to be 7ft. tall, with 14 fingers and toes. Of course, as the man of the land, Tsul`kälû´is tightly linked with the legend of the rock.

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Flickr / Giant Sloth

Cherokee folklore states the carvings are imprints of his feet, as he would jump from rock to rock. Another source claims Tsul`kälû´carved the rock as a hunting guide, with rules for others to follow. As the largest in the area, he controlled all of the game.

Another strange fact about Judaculla Rock is that several similar carvings are now being discovered in the area and along the southeastern mountain region.

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Flickr / Kolin Toney

If you link this with another nearby legend - the strange statues and Cherokee stories of the 'moon-eyed people,' then it seems things really get strange.

Between the moon-eyed, nocturnal, cave-dwelling 'people' who supposedly left several strange structures and the sheer evidence of Judaculla Rock...there's a lot of mystery and folklore to this section of the state.

Flickr / Sir Mildred Pierce

The rock has gained much notoriety during its known time of existence. The Cherokee saw it as a sacred place, and believed it pre-dated their presence. The rock has been the site of 'initiation' and ritual ceremonies from both Western Carolina Students and nearby travelers and locals. With a small graveyard tucked not far away, strange, ghostly occurrences have been reported in the area.

Flickr / Giant Sloth

Throughout the years, the rock has experienced much change due to weathering. It's best to visit it as soon as possible. While visible and still readable, no one (even world-renowned researchers) have been able to solve or figure out the origin and meaning behind North Carolina's most mysterious rock.

Judaculla Rock is a soapstone boulder situated at the base of a mountain and believed to be one of three similar rocks found at the site (while one was reportedly buried during a 20th century mining operation). It’s free to view the rock and is best to view it ASAP because, as mentioned above, it is quickly eroding. For driving directions, click here.

Everyone has their own theory on this rock – and those who witness it firsthand feel and understand the presence and mystery of this strange object. What do you think is the true story and origin of Judaculla Rock? Have you been here before?

If you love strange places in North Carolina, these 15 are by far the weirdest!