Gila Cliff Dwellings

The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in New Mexico is home to a series of caves that were inhabited by ancient peoples. The first inhabitants were nomadic groups who used the caves as temporary shelter. In the late 1200s, the Mogollon culture made the caves their home. They built rooms, crafted pottery and raised children in the cliff dwellings for one or two generations. By approximately 1300, the Mogollon had moved on, leaving the walls behind. Today, the cliff dwellings are a popular tourist destination, providing a glimpse into the lives of these ancient people.