Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (pronounced: hi: la ) is an American National Monument, located in the U.S. state of New Mexico about 70 km north of the town of Silver City on New Mexico State Highway 15, The National Monument is home to, among other things, protecting the remains of Höhlenbauten ( Cliff Dwellings ) of the Mogollon culture who lived in these buildings from the 13th century to the early 14th century.
Early history
The members of the Mogollon culture populated the area now known as National Monuments from the end of the 1st century. In the Mogollon it was a settled people, his livelihood created both by hunting and gathering as well as by the cultivation of cereals and beans.
The earliest building, which could be detected in the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, is a so-called Pit House ( sod house ), whose establishment is already within this time. The building was located in an open area, was circular and characterized by the fact that there was a floor below the surrounding ground level. Scientists had already at this time the Mogollon making simple and pottery.
The National Monument also buildings later period could be detected. In the period around the year 1000, the Mogollon built rectangular buildings, which were erected in contrast to earlier objects completely above the ground level. For the majority of these objects, it was solid, brick buildings, only a small portion was still made of woven branches. Characteristic of this period was the production of white pottery with black elements.
Cliff Dwellings
From about the 13th century began in the area of today's National Monuments for the Mogollon Pueblo epoch. Although there are also remains of the classic Pueblo construction in the park, make the Cliff Dwellings, the central of town of the time dar. This Höhlenbauten are at the same namesake and main attraction of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.
Five large caves, high in the rocks of a side canyon of the West Fork Gila River, formed the natural basis for the construction of these impressive buildings. A total of about 40 rooms have been created in these caves. The walls of the buildings were built of stones from the immediate area, the wood used has been dated to the period around the year 1270.
It is estimated that about 10 to 15 families these buildings use about a generation. Little is known about the end of the Mogollon culture. The residents left the Cliff Dwellings in the early 14th century again. Why did they go and where, is still a matter of discussion. A generally recognized as likely theory is that they mixed with other Pueblo peoples of the American Southwest, and so ceased to exist as a distinct culture.
The period after the Mogollon
After the Cliff Dwellings had been abandoned by its inhabitants, the area of today's National Monuments for several years was uninhabited. Soon, however, nomadic groups of Apaches in the area began to feel at home. Later invaded from the south and Spanish settlers in the area before and settled mainly in the south and east of the present park.
On December 30, 1853, the United States acquired as part of the Gadsden Purchase ( Gadsden Purchase ) an area of 77,700 km ² of Mexico. The agreement was reached between James Gadsden, the minister for relations with Mexico, and the Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. This was the beginning of American colonization of this area dar. When it came due to the influx of more and more settlers ( homesteaders ) to tensions with the local Apaches, a military camp for the protection of the settlers was applied in the near Gila Hot Springs.
The National Monument
On November 16, 1907 an area of about 216 acres and the Gila Cliff Dwellings Höhlenbauten as National Monument was dedicated. The National Monument is the only national institution in the United States, houses the remains of the culture of the Mogollon. The park has a visitor center that offers information and contains a small museum bookshop.
The Cliff Dwellings are located along a 1.6 km long footpath and are located 55 m above the valley floor. The beginning of the footpath ( trailhead ) is located a few kilometers from the visitor center and is accessible by vehicle.
The National Monument is immediately adjacent to the Gila Wilderness Area, the first reserve of its kind ever in the United States. A Wilderness Area is generally under special protection, and shall contain no evidence of human interventions (roads, buildings) included.