In the Gila National Forest, southwest New Mexico, the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument was established on November 16, 1907, by President Theodore Roosevelt through executive proclamation. The park encompasses 533 acres (2.16 sq. km.) of protected land near the Gila River.
There are two prominent ruin sites and several smaller ones with examples of the Mimbres culture, who used to live in the area.
Some of the alcoves, such as the ones seen in this post, were inhabited by some 10 to 15 families spread throughout the Cliff Dweller Canyon. Archaeologists have found 46 rooms on this site.
In the 1200s, the Mogollon culture settled in the area and built their homes on the cliffs above the Gila River. They lived there for about 20 years, leaving clear traces of their lives. The roofs in some areas are dark because of the fires the Mogollon people made while living there.
We visited the Gila Cliff Dwellings in 2006. That is the story behind the shots. If you liked these photos, you might also be interested in other posts featuring Landscapes, National Monuments, and New Mexico. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Toonsarah
Thanks for this reminder of a place I found totally fascinating when we visited (in 2011) 🙂
Egidio Leitao
It was a good reminder for me, too. Those Native American dwellings are so fascinating Thanks for writing.
Anne Sandler
These dwellings are amazing. We’ve seen similar dwellings elsewhere and they are fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
Egidio Leitao
They are amazing. We love visiting places like that. Thanks for the feedback.