Come join me. Let's cross the bridge to the year of 1270
when a group of Native Americans called the Mogollon arrived
here and remained until the early 1300s. You will see a glimpse of
of their homes and lives. The surroundings probably
look very much like they did when the cliff
dwellings were inhabited. The Gila Cliff Dwellings
National Monument, which contains 533 acres and was
established in 1907 (approximately 5 years before New Mexico statehood) and is located approximately 44
miles north of Silver City, New Mexico.
The Native Americans who lived here by the Gila (HEE-La) River are from
a culture known as the Mogollon (MuggyOWN). Because their pottery is
different from that of earlier Mogollon in this area, archeologists believe
these cliff dwellers may have come from the Tularosa River, fifty miles to
the northwest. It is not know why they left that region for this one. Maybe
they were refugees from war or disease, or used up certain natural
resources? Maybe prompted to move for religious or social reasons or due
to a charismatic leader. Maybe they decided to move together as a group?
They is not enough answers for many, many questions.
PICTURE TOUR
BRIEF HISTORY