| ||||
      Tweet  | |
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is an early Native American historical site in Catron County, New Mexico. Covering 533 acres (216 ha) it is located within the Gila Wilderness - the first wilderness area to be established in the United States - in southwestern New Mexico. The national monument was established by President Theodore Roosevelt on 16 November, 1907.
The Gila Cliff Dwellings were carved into the rugged face of the cliff, at an elevation of 5,700 ft to 6,000 ft. The cliff, which was formed by volcanic activity, is punctuated by a network of cave tunnels dug by the Mogollon people, between AD 1275 and 1300.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, New Mexico
Author: Howcheng (public domain)
Archaeologists have recorded up to 46 chambers in five cave groupings. There is no known reason why the dwellings were abandoned, though oral tradition of the Hopi people point to climate change that made the site inhospitable.
In addition to the living quarters, the Gila Cliff Dwellings have also yielded a number of mummies. Many of the early mummies have disappeared into private collections. A documented burial site uncovered in 1912 produced the mummy of an infant, which archaeologists named Zeke. Now house at the Smithsonian, it is the only mummy to be brought there from Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Entrance to one of the Gila Cliff Dwellings
Author: Martin1971 (public domain)
Visiting Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, New Mexico
See direction on map. From Interstate 10, turn off at Exit 81 (Deming) then continue on N Gold Ave (US Highway 180), passing Bayard and Santa Clara towards Silver City. At Silver City, turn right to Pinos Altos Rd (State Route 15) all the way to the site.Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument visitor center is open every day of the year, including all holidays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Entrance fee is $10 per family (with the family unit defined as two parents and children) or $3 per person aged 16 and above.
Return to National Monuments of the United States
Return to Discover New Mexico
Return to Exploring America
  
  
Point - Click - Discover!Thanks for visiting this webpage. To continue exploring, choose another destination! My World Travel Guides - celebrating a beautiful world beautifully. Earning a living as a Happy Jobless GuyI am a Happy Jobless Guy! I am one of the few people who is fortunate enough to earn an income from my websites that I don't to go out to work. My sites get thousands of visitors every day. It has been a long process, but it is something everybody can achieve, and that means YOU. The following are some articles which you might want to read if you want to do what I do:
 |