Mogollon world extent in Gila Wilderness remains uncertain after survey. Expedition aimed to determine if Mogollon civilization extended into remote Gila areas Winter sunrise orientation principle used to identify potential cliff dwelling locations Uncharted upper West Fork valley surveyed for first time in modern era
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument preserves Mogollon cliff dwellings in New Mexico's Gila Wilderness, 45 miles north of Silver City at 6,000 ft elevation. The Mogollon culture flourished in the region between 300 B.C.E. and 1300 C.E., with occupants moving to the Gila area in the 1270s from approximately 40 miles away near present-day Reserve. An ongoing research question is whether the Mogollon were a concentrated or widely dispersed civilization.
Key Facts
- Expedition aimed to determine if Mogollon civilization extended into remote Gila areas
- Winter sunrise orientation principle used to identify potential cliff dwelling locations
- Uncharted upper West Fork valley surveyed for first time in modern era
- Question of whether Mogollon were concentrated or widely dispersed civilization
- Three main river forks converge in central Gila region
- No major cliff dwellings found in surveyed slot canyons
Source: 11 Day Expedition Discovering Ruins in Uncharted New Mexico by Luke Caverns