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Cuarenta Casas
29.5535° N, -108.1693° E
About
Cuarenta Casas (literally "40 houses") is an archaeological site in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. Construction of the site is attributed to the Mogollon culture. Located in Vallecito in the municipality of Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Forty Houses is believed to be the southernmost site related to the period of Mogollon influence. The site consists of a series of cliff dwellings built in natural caves in the cliffs of Huapoca Canyon. The best known is the Cueva de las Ventanas (Cave of the Windows). Early Spanish explorers named the site Cuarenta Casas (forty houses) based on their speculation of the total number of structures. The area consists of five main cave communities: Cueva del Puente, Cueva de la Serpiente, Nido del Aguila and Cueva Grande.
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history
Cueva Grande houses age
c. 800 years old
Paquimé apogee and construction
1205–1260 CE
Settlement decay and abandonment
1340 CE
Early European account
early 16th century
Caves still inhabited in 1520
1520
Archaeological Features
Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Storage Structures
Defensive Structures
Military Installations
Miscellaneous Features
Animal Husbandry Features
Water Management Features
Public and Civic Structures
Burial and Funerary Structures
Industrial and Craft Structures
Religious and Ritual Structures
Artistic and Decorative Features
Agricultural and Land Use Features
Domestic and Habitation Structures
Environmental and Natural Features
Astronomical and Timekeeping Structures
Food Production and Processing Features
Transportation and Communication Structures
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Visit
Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information
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