Nine thousand years of continuous human occupation.

Of all the information archaeologists have uncovered at the site of the ancient Cherokee village of Kituwah in Swain County, that fact alone makes this tract invaluable and worth preserving.

Kituwah (pronounced Gih-DOO-wah) has long been considered the first permanent settlement of what became the Cherokee people. Tribal archaeologist Brett Riggs says the topographic characteristics of the land along the Tuckasegee River are such that the long history of occupation is not surprising. He called the tract among the most “desirable surfaces in the Tuckasegee River Valley.”

One one part of the tract - known now as Ferguson Fields - is what’s left of the ceremonial mound. In its heyday the mound was perhaps three times as large as it is now, serving as the center of village life. The presence of council houses and other structures have been detected beneath it.

As archaeologists do their work, tribal leaders are trying to decide the fate of the land. The archaeological information will help them. It was only five years ago that the tribe re-acquired the land for $3 million. It had been sold at an auction in 1821 when Chief Yonaguska was evicted by the sheriff of what was then Haywood County.

Tribal leaders have considered several options for the land, and some of them seem downright sacrilegious. Some have suggested a golf course be built on the ancient site, while others say a recreated village should be constructed. A depot for a local excursion train has also been discussed.

Some tribal leaders are now proposing that the Cherokee people cast votes to decide the land’s fate. Big Cove tribal council representative Teresa McCoy thinks that would be a good way to solve the problem. “If I have my way, there will be” a referendum, she said.

Given its history and importance to the Cherokee, it seems some form of minimally invasive development would seem proper. We have had lots of recent commercial and residential growth throughout WNC, growth that has lifted many of our citizens out of poverty. But we can’t replace those sites that connect us to the past, and none are as important as this ancient Cherokee village.

If a referendum does occur, let’s hope the Cherokee will seek to preserve this special place

 

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The Smoky Mountain News