Uttamusack

Nearby on the Pamunkey River stood Uttamusack, the primary temple site of paramount chief Powhatan and the spiritual center of the Powhatan Indians. The site included a holy house for Powhatan and two additional temples used for ceremonies. Seven priests, who also served as councillors to the paramount chief, cared for the house and temples, and only priests and chiefs were allowed in or near the holy houses. Colonial records contained no further information about Uttamusack after 1609, when Powhatan moved his primary residence from Werowocomoco on the York River to Orapax on the Chickahominy River.

Virginia · United States