ZONA ARQUEOLÓGICA DE PAQUIMÉ
Archaeological zone registered in the patrimony of the humanity by the Unesco, a place endowed with mountains, irrigation channels, ...
Inscribed in 1998 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Paquimé (sometimes called Casas Grandes by default, like the village that shelters it) has not yet revealed all its secrets: there are still some unexplored areas on the 50-hectare site; and this site is only the cultural center of the vast Casas Grandes culture, which extended throughout the northwest of Chihuahua. This ceremonial centre began its main activity from the year 900 AD: the area was then occupied by small settlements with houses made of perishable materials. It was soon to become a junction point between the trade routes of Mesoamerica and North America. Around 1200, the houses were now built in hard earth, with wooden beams to support the roofs, and reached up to four floors. The hydraulic system of the city is complex, as it also includes the surrounding mountains: irrigation canals for crops and drainage and sewage systems were linked through the walls and alleys of the city. The ceremonial buildings contain cultural elements from Mesoamerica (ball games) and from the cultures of the northern deserts. It is estimated that the site was abandoned around 1450, although the reasons for this are still unknown today. To make matters worse, the archaeological site is surrounded by beautiful scenery.
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