The Mogollon

Who Were the Mogollon?

The people who built the dwellings are known as the Tularosa Mogollon. However, it's important to note that this name was given to them by archaeologists. The name comes from the Mogollon mountain range in the Gila Wilderness, which was named after Don Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollón, the Governor of Santa Fe de Nuevo México from 1712 to 1715.

It is unlikely that we will ever know what the people who occupied the dwellings called themselves, as they had an oral history rather than a written language.

Archaeologists believe that these people came from approximately 40 miles away, near the present-day town of Reserve, New Mexico.

Why Did They Come Here?

Unfortunately, we don't know the exact reason why they came here. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that they occupied the dwellings to seek relief from a drought, specifically the Great Drought of 1270-1300, which roughly aligns with the entire occupation of the Gila Cliff Dwellings.

Evidence left behind, such as wooden vigas and lintels, reveals that the entire area was affected by a severe drought during the occupation of the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Dendrochronology, the scientific method of dating tree rings, can also determine the climatic conditions of a given area. Every year, a tree produces an annual growth ring; wide rings indicate wet years, while thin rings indicate dry years. The samples gathered from the dwellings have thin tree rings, suggesting that this area was indeed suffering from minimal rainfall and drought-like conditions.

How Long Were the Dwellings Occupied?

Archaeologists believe that the dwellings were occupied for roughly 30 years, from the 1270s through the early 1300s. Dendrochronology was used to determine the years of occupation. Tree rings indicate the year the tree was cut, not necessarily the year construction began. Although scientists discovered the earliest cut date of 1276 CE, that does not necessarily mean that was the year construction started.

It's worth noting that the Tularosa Mogollon were not the first people to occupy these caves. Soot deposits on the roofs of the caves represent thousands of years of human occupation. Archaic hunter-gatherers utilized these caves as part of their seasonal migrations, as indicated by the atlatl fragments—the hunting weapon of choice for the Archaic people—found in the dwellings during archaeological excavations.

Why Were These Caves Chosen by the Tularosa Mogollon?

Archaeologists believe there are many reasons why these caves were chosen to provide a home for the Tularosa Mogollon people. Firstly, the caves offer natural protection from the elements. The south-facing caves also provide excellent temperature regulation during both winter and summer months.

Additionally, the canyon below the caves has a stream that runs year-round, and the canyon is home to numerous plants that could be used for various purposes. For example, yucca could be ground up into a shampoo, and yucca sandals were found in the monument. There are also numerous plants that produce edible fruits and/or nuts, such as Piñon Pine, grapes, oak trees, Prickly Pear Cactus, and more.

In addition to plants, animals seemed to have been plentiful during the time of occupation. Animals like Mule Deer, Elk, Bison, and more were hunted to supplement their diet.

Where Did They Go, and Why Did They Leave?

Contrary to popular belief, these people did not simply disappear. While we do not know exactly where they went, we do know that they spread out into other pueblos across southwest New Mexico and Mexico. There are many theories about why they left, including the end of the Great Drought of 1270-1300. They may have also left due to an overuse of resources.

What Was Found in the Dwellings?

Many things were found in the dwellings, and it's impossible to list them all on this one page. However, some of the items found include remains of animals such as Mule Deer, Rabbit, Coyote, Bison, and even a Mountain Lion. Numerous bird feathers were also found in the dwellings, including those of the Greater Roadrunner, Scarlet Macaw, Turkey, Great Horned Owl, Northern Flicker, and Acorn Woodpecker.

In addition, pottery shards that survived years of looting and vandalism were found in the dwellings. Corn cobs were also found throughout the dwellings and can still be seen today! Due to the protection provided by the caves, these corn cobs have survived for hundreds of years.

What Did They Use for Construction?

The Mogollon used numerous materials for construction, including slabs of Gila Conglomerate, wood, and a sandy clay as mortar.

They used various types of wood, including Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, Juniper, and Cottonwood.