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Mogollon Horizons

An exploration into the rich tapestry of the Mogollon culture, a pivotal prehistoric civilization that shaped the landscapes of the American Southwest and Northern Mexico.

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Defining the Mogollon

Geographic Scope

The Mogollon culture represents a significant prehistoric archaeological tradition of Native American peoples. Its influence extended across southern New Mexico and Arizona, northern Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico, and western Texas. This region encompasses parts of both Oasisamerica and Aridoamerica, reflecting a complex environmental and cultural landscape.

Temporal Framework

Flourishing from the Archaic period, with origins estimated around 200 CE, the Mogollon culture persisted until the arrival of the Spanish in the mid-16th century (around 1450 or 1540 CE). This millennium-long existence allowed for substantial cultural development and regional diversification.

Archaeological Significance

As one of the most recognized prehistoric Southwestern cultural divisions, the Mogollon are distinguished by unique pottery manufacturing techniques, architectural styles, and settlement patterns. Their study provides critical insights into the diverse adaptations and innovations of early peoples in this arid region.

Distinctive Cultural Traits

Dwellings and Settlements

Mogollon architecture evolved significantly. Early settlements featured deep, circular or oval pit-houses. Over time, these transitioned to rectangular, semi-subterranean structures with rounded corners. Later periods saw the development of surface pueblos with stone and earth walls, and eventually, impressive cliff-dwellings emerged, particularly in the later phases.

Ceremonial Structures

Central to Mogollon villages were ceremonial structures, often referred to as kivas. These were typically round, semi-subterranean spaces used for rituals and community gatherings. Some later Mimbres kivas featured unique elements like foot drums and log grooves, indicating a rich ceremonial life.

Pottery Traditions

Mogollon pottery is a hallmark of their culture, characterized by a distinctive brown paste and the "coil-and-scrape" manufacturing method. While various regional styles exist, the Mimbres branch is renowned for its exquisite black-on-white painted pottery, featuring intricate geometric patterns and detailed figurative imagery.

Material Culture

Beyond pottery, Mogollon material culture included well-crafted ground-stone tools. Their mortuary practices also varied, offering insights into their beliefs and social structures. The distinctiveness of their pottery, architecture, tool design, and customs solidified their recognition as a unique cultural entity.

Origins and Evolution

Theories of Origin

The precise origins of the Mogollon culture remain a subject of scholarly debate. Leading theories suggest emergence from the indigenous Desert Archaic tradition, migration from farming regions in central Mexico, or descent from the Cochise culture, who themselves adopted farming practices from Mesoamerica.

Subsistence Strategies

Initially, Mogollon peoples were primarily foragers who supplemented their diet with early forms of agriculture. Over time, particularly during the first millennium CE, their reliance on farming likely increased. Evidence of water control features, especially in Mimbres sites from the 10th to 12th centuries, points to sophisticated agricultural management.

Village Development

Mogollon villages underwent significant transformations. From small pithouse clusters, they evolved into larger surface pueblos by the 11th century, featuring multi-room structures. The 13th and 14th centuries saw the rise of impressive cliff-dwellings, showcasing adaptation to defensive and environmental factors.

Developmental Periods

Chronological Frameworks

Archaeologists often divide Mogollon history into distinct periods based on material culture and settlement patterns. Joe Ben Wheat's influential 1955 classification identifies five periods, while another common division focuses on the evolution of housing types.

Wheat's Five Periods (approximate dates):

  • Mogollon 1 (200 – c. 400 CE): Pine Lawn, Georgetown, Penasco, Circle Prairie, and Hilltop phases.
  • Mogollon 2 (c. 400 – 650 CE): San Lorenzo, Dos Cabezas, Circle Prairie, and Cottonwood phases.
  • Mogollon 3 (650 – 850 CE): San Francisco, Pinaleno, Galiuro, Forestdale, and San Marcial phases.
  • Mogollon 4 (850 – 1000 CE): Three Circle, Cerros, Corduroy, Mesilla, and Capitan phases.
  • Mogollon 5 (1000 – 1450 CE): Including the Classic Mimbres phase (1050–1200 CE). Phases include Mangus, Mimbres, Encinas, Reserve, Tularosa, Dona Anna, Three Rivers, El Paso, and San Anders.

Housing Type Periods:

  • Early Pithouse (200 – 550 CE)
  • Late Pithouse (550 – 1000 CE)
  • Mogollon Pueblo (1000 – 1450 CE)

Notable Archaeological Sites

Key Locations

Significant Mogollon sites are scattered across the Southwest and Northern Mexico, offering tangible evidence of their culture. These include areas within the Gila Wilderness, the Mimbres River Valley, and along the Upper Gila River. Important sites also extend to Paquimé (Casas Grandes) in Chihuahua, Hueco Tanks near El Paso, Texas, and the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site in New Mexico.

  • Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (New Mexico): Features cliff dwellings attributed to the Tularosa phase, showcasing remarkable adaptation to canyon environments.
  • Mimbres Valley Sites (New Mexico): The heartland of the Mimbres branch, known for its distinctive pottery and large pueblos.
  • Paquimé (Casas Grandes) (Chihuahua, Mexico): A major center with complex architecture, including unique macaw pens, indicating extensive trade networks.
  • Hueco Tanks State Historic Site (Texas): Features rock art and evidence of settlement, bridging Mogollon and other cultural influences.
  • Three Rivers Petroglyph Site (New Mexico): While known for its petroglyphs, it also provides context for Mogollon presence in the region.

The Mimbres Branch

Artistic Mastery

The Mimbres branch, a prominent subset of the Mogollon culture, is celebrated for its exceptionally crafted pottery, particularly the Classic Mimbres phase (c. 1000–1150 CE). This pottery is distinguished by its white background adorned with intricate black-on-white designs.

Design Elements:

  • Geometric Patterns: Complex, often symmetrical geometric motifs are characteristic.
  • Figurative Imagery: Depictions include animals (birds, fish, mountain lions), humans, and mythical beings, often rendered with unique stylistic conventions like diamond-shaped eyes.
  • "Kill Holes": Many Mimbres bowls feature a hole punched through the center, often found associated with burials, though evidence suggests they were used in life before being ritually broken.

Cultural Connections:

The imagery sometimes suggests connections with cultures in northern and central Mexico. The elaborate decoration implies a rich ceremonial life and sophisticated worldview.

Decline and Dispersal

Around 1130–1150 CE, the production of Classic Mimbres pottery ceased, and significant population shifts occurred in the Mimbres Valley. While some populations persisted, many dispersed, adopting pottery styles and architectural forms of neighboring cultural groups. This transition marks a complex period of cultural reorganization rather than a complete disappearance.

Legacy and Descendants

Continuity and Connection

While the distinct Mogollon cultural identity eventually transformed, contemporary Pueblo peoples in the Southwest, including the Hopi, Zuni, and Acoma, assert ancestral connections to the Mogollon and related cultures. Archaeological evidence, such as ceramic traditions and oral histories, supports potential links between Mogollon populations and the development of Western Pueblo villages.

Displacement and Integration

The regions historically occupied by the Mogollon were later settled by the Apache people, who migrated from the north. However, the cultural legacy of the Mogollon persists through the traditions and claims of descent maintained by various Pueblo communities, highlighting a continuous thread of cultural heritage in the region.

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References

References

  1.  Haury, Emil W. The Mogollon Culture of Southwestern New Mexico. Medallion Papers No. XX. Gila Pueblo, Globe, Arizona, 1936.
  2.  Cordell, Linda, Archaeology of the Southwest, 2nd edition (San Diego: Academic Press, 1997), page number unknown
  3.  Lekson, Stephen H. Archaeology of the Mimbres Region, Southwestern New Mexico. BAR International Series 1466. Archaeopress, Oxford, 2006.
  4.  Nelson, Margaret C. Abandonment, Continuity, and Reorganization: Mimbres During the 12th Century. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 1999.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Mogollon culture Wikipedia page

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Academic Disclaimer

Important Considerations

This content has been generated by an AI model for educational purposes, drawing upon information from Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, interpretations of archaeological data can evolve, and this resource should be viewed as an introductory overview.

This is not a substitute for scholarly research. The information presented is based on a specific dataset and may not encompass all nuances or ongoing debates within the field of Southwestern archaeology. For advanced academic study, consultation of primary archaeological reports, peer-reviewed journals, and specialized monographs is essential.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any interpretations or actions taken based on this information. Always consult primary sources and expert analyses for comprehensive understanding.