Casas Grandes, Pre-Columbian archaeological complex in Chihuahua, Mexico
Casas Grandes is an archaeological complex in the Mexican state of Chihuahua with multi-story adobe structures, platforms, and ceremonial spaces. The structures form an expansive settlement network organized around paved courtyards and water channel systems.
The community emerged around the year 1130 and grew into a regional center with long-distance trade connections. After centuries of growth, the settlement was abandoned in the mid-14th century, likely due to changes in trade routes and climate conditions.
Inhabitants maintained ties with distant communities through the exchange of pottery, shells, and polished stones, as shown by findings in storage rooms. Some of the excavated rooms served as workshops where artisans crafted jewelry and ritual objects for local use and trade.
The site spreads across several areas, and walking through takes between one and two hours depending on your pace. A nearby museum offers displays and background information that are helpful before or after visiting the ruins.
Archaeologists found a piece of iron meteorite weighing more than two tons within the complex, suggesting advanced knowledge of materials and their origins. This discovery shows that inhabitants collected rare objects and possibly regarded them as trade items or ceremonial pieces.
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