Casas Grandes
Casas Grandes (Spanish for Great Houses; also known as Paquimé) is a prehistoric archaeological site in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. Construction of the site is attributed to the Mogollon culture. Casas Grandes has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the purview of INAH and a "Pueblo Mágico" since 2015.
| Casas Grandes | |
|---|---|
View of a section in Paquimé, Casas Grandes | |
| Location | Chihuahua, Mexico |
| Coordinates | 30°21′59″N 107°56′51″W |
| Built | 1130 CE |
| Rebuilt | 1350 CE |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Official name | Archaeological Zone of Paquimé, Casas Grandes |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iii, iv |
| Designated | 1998 (22nd session) |
| Reference no. | 560rev |
| Region | Latin America and the Caribbean |
Location of Casas Grandes in Mexico | |
Casas Grandes is one of the largest and most complex Mogollon culture sites in the region. Settlement began after 1130 AD, and the larger buildings developed into multi-storied dwellings after 1350 AD. The community was abandoned approximately in 1450 AD. Casas Grandes is regarded as one of the most significant Mogollon archaeological zones in the northwestern Mexico region, linking it to other sites in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, and demonstrating the extent of the Mogollon sphere of influence.
The Casas Grandes complex is situated in a broad, fertile valley fertile valley along the Casas Grandes or San Miguel River, approximately 56 kilometres (35 mi) south of Janos and 240 kilometres (150 mi) northwest of the state capital, Chihuahua. he settlement depended on irrigation to sustain its agricultural activities.
The archaeological zone is contained within the eponymous modern municipio (municipality) of Casas Grandes. The valley and region have been inhabited by aboriginal groups for millennia.