Some believe that they may have been survivors of the Maya Indians. There are numerous historical references to the Talligewi in the Walum Olum. The “Walum Olum” states that the Talligewi were "Ancient People" and that they came from an unknown area hundreds or even thousands of years prior to 1100 AD. But there is no definite answer that they were the Maya.
However some of the Talligewi’s early regalia looked very similar to the Maya. Also many of their artwork (beading, sculptures, and pottery) certainly had many of the exact symbols and patterns.
Also in Mooney’s book on the Cherokee, he stated that the early Talligewi were said to be great warriors and made human sacrifices on ceremonial mounds quite similar to that of the Mayan Indians in South America
Below is a slide show showing the artifacts of the Mayan Indians in South America that is close to or identical to the artwork of the Talligewi.
However some of the Talligewi’s early regalia looked very similar to the Maya. Also many of their artwork (beading, sculptures, and pottery) certainly had many of the exact symbols and patterns.
Also in Mooney’s book on the Cherokee, he stated that the early Talligewi were said to be great warriors and made human sacrifices on ceremonial mounds quite similar to that of the Mayan Indians in South America
Below is a slide show showing the artifacts of the Mayan Indians in South America that is close to or identical to the artwork of the Talligewi.