Saturday, February 28, 2009

Track Rock Gap-An Ancient Georgia Mystery

About five miles east of Blairsville, Georgia in Union County is Track Rock Gap. The anthropoligist James Mooney, who wrote the book "Myths of the Cherokee" recalls that the Cherokee called this place Datsu'nalasgun-yi. There are a number of soapstone rocks on a trail through the gap and these rocks are covered by petroglyphs. Moooney also mentions that the Cherokee give another meaning to the name of this place-where the tracks are.

Bigfoot researchers are of the opinion that Track Rock Gap is a place where Indians recorded their experiences with Sasquatch. One Bigfoot investigator from the North Georgia area makes mention that natives had the habit of recording what they saw around them, an explanation for petroglyphs and rock drawings in Indian territories. The drawings at Track Rock Gap are no exception. It has been said by some that the drawings at Track Rock Gap are simply historical records of natives and their observation of Sasquatch in the area. There are indeed stories and legends among the Cherokees that give some credence to the idea that Cherokees in the area had come in to contact with strange animals that could be Sasquatch. One such legend is that of Tsul'Kalu, also called Jutaculla/Judaculla.

This is quite an interesting theory. Much research has been done around Track Rock Gap, and several Sasquatch sighting databases turn up reports and sightings in the area. This summer, I plan to visit the area for a few days. I hope to get some pictures of those rocks, and whatever else might be lurking up there.

4 comments:

Wren said...

Professor Jeff,

Indeed this story intrigues me greatly, as my lineage comes from not far from that area. First off though, and not to being a pain Jutaculla/Judaculla is a European corruption of Tsul 'Kalu.

Tsul 'Kalu is said to dwell in a place called Tsunegun'yi. The words Tsul and Tsune and their variations appear in a number of Cherokee place names throughout the Southeastern United States. Especially in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee (much as Sasquatch references appear in the place names of other tribes). Tsul’a’si’nun’yi "Where the footprint is", on Tuckasegee River, about a mile above Deep creek, in Swain county. From a rock now blasted out to make way for the railroad in Jackson County, on which were impressions said to have been the footprints of the giant Tsul`kalu' and a deer. Not unlike Track Rock Gap’s petroglyphs.

There is also a large slab of soapstone called "Jutaculla Rock" nearby, which is covered with strange scratches and carvings. These markings are said to have been made by the giant when he would jump from his home on the mountain to the creek below. . It is believed Tsul 'Kalu was responsible for clearing the spot for his residence. Cherokee’s also have seen Kecleh-Kudleh, referring to "hairy savage” and Nun’ Yunu’ Wi “Stone Man”.

Now Da-tsu-na-lo-sgv-yi means “ a place where there are tracks.” or "where their tracks are this way", and De’ga’ye’lun ‘ha (the printed or branded place). This would be given to any sacred place or sacred people even those not of the Cherokee race, where printed art on rocks or the ground through rock formations and mounds.

By the way, need a tag along to talk to them should you encounter them? Am sure hearing an old native tongue would feel welcoming to them :D I am all for meeting old friends of the clan!

Caprice said...

Hey Prof!
I'm looking forward to seeing those pictures!!

The Professor said...

Yes, Judaculla/Jutaculla are those misnomers placed by Europeans.

The story of Track Rock Gap is an old one. There is also an interesting story from 1834 of an expedition to Track Rock Gap. Unfortunately, this expedition led to the taking of a few of those stones. As they sit now, someone has placed them under steel cages for their protection.

Wren said...

Track Rock Gap is like I said one of many along a line that the Cherokee knew the Tsul 'kalu lived and inhabited.

Because of their respect for this race they never encroached on their lands and gave them respect to the point of protecting them.

Sadly other people saw their markings as something to be gathered and taken, so this is why there is so little left and so much mockery of what is left and told now days.

Because as Native American Indians "we cannot possible know what we saw" Because at the time we were not saved by Christianity, all our memories and facts are even now discounted as silly folklore by a race that knows no better.

Mankind loses out on a load of actual factual amount of real provable accounts. We have to wad through people who will name call for fear of what they do not know or fear when the lights go out.

By the way you never answered my question and I am really hurt now...*sniffs*