Kituwah
Kituwah is a historically significant Cherokee town located on the Tuckasegee River in Swain County, North Carolina. It is considered one of the most important and ancient Cherokee settlements. The name Kituwah is believed to mean "the center of things" or "sacred place" in the Cherokee language. The site is renowned for its well-preserved earthwork mound, which is a testament to the advanced agricultural and societal organization of the Cherokee people. Archaeological evidence suggests continuous occupation of the Kituwah site for at least a millennium, dating back to around 1000 CE.
The Kituwah mound served as a central ceremonial and political hub for the community. It was a
Following the forced removal of the Cherokee people in the 19th century, the Kituwah site fell into