Archaeologists from Brigham Young University (BYU) have been conducting excavations at a farming hamlet called San Diego, located near the ancient Mogollon city of Casas Grandes, also known as Paquimé, in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. Casas Grandes is recognized as one of the most significant sites associated with the Mogollon culture, one of the major prehistoric cultural traditions of the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico.
The Mogollon culture emerged during the archaic period around AD 200 and later saw significant developments in construction and urban organization. Casas Grandes, in particular, underwent a transformative phase between AD 1130 and AD 1300. Initially, it was a settlement composed of more than 20 single-story residential clusters, each organized around a central plaza and enclosed by a surrounding wall. This design reflected the early inhabitants’ architectural preferences and community organization.
However, around AD 1340, the settlement experienced a destructive fire, an event that likely led to a complete rebuilding effort. During this reconstruction phase, Casas Grandes evolved into a more complex and sophisticated urban center. The inhabitants constructed multi-story adobe apartment buildings, integrated Mesoamerican-style ballcourts with distinctive I-shaped designs, built stone-faced platforms, erected effigy mounds, and developed a market area that facilitated economic and social interactions. These architectural features indicate that Casas Grandes played a crucial role as a cultural and trading hub in the region.
Beyond the city itself, the broader Casas Grandes area contains approximately 350 smaller settlement sites that fall within its sphere of influence. These settlements extend up to 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the city and suggest a network of communities that relied on Casas Grandes as a central node for trade, governance, and cultural activities.
For the past decade, researchers from BYU have focused their investigations on an earlier period known as the Viejo period, which predates the height of Casas Grandes’ prominence. Their work at the site of San Diego has provided critical insights into the foundations of this ancient society. In 2019, the excavation team made a significant discovery—the remains of the largest known communal structure from the Viejo period. Measuring approximately 9 meters (30 feet) in diameter, this structure was substantial enough to accommodate 30 to 40 people, indicating its importance for communal gatherings, decision-making, and social cohesion.
Recent excavations at San Diego have unearthed an array of 1,000-year-old artifacts that offer a glimpse into the daily lives and broader interactions of the people who once inhabited the area. Among these artifacts are ceramic fragments, hammer stones, maize kernels, and a shell bead that originated from the Pacific Ocean—roughly 250 miles (400 kilometers) away. The presence of this shell bead suggests that the people of Casas Grandes engaged in long-distance trade, maintaining connections with distant coastal communities and possibly exchanging goods, ideas, and cultural practices.
The research team has employed advanced technological methods to document their findings with unprecedented precision. Using robotic surveying instruments, they have been able to map artifacts with millimeter-level accuracy, ensuring that spatial relationships between objects and structures are meticulously recorded. Additionally, survey-grade GPS technology has enabled precise geospatial mapping of excavation sites, while unmanned aerial systems (drones) have provided high-resolution images of the site from above. These technological advancements have allowed archaeologists to analyze and interpret their discoveries in ways that were not possible in earlier excavations.
Professor Mike Searcy, a leading archaeologist from BYU, emphasized the importance of each new discovery in understanding the past. He stated, “Every shovel full of dirt that we pull out is providing new data on the ancient people who thrived in the desert.” This sentiment underscores the significance of continuous archaeological research in unraveling the mysteries of past civilizations and their adaptations to challenging environments.
The excavations at San Diego have also shed light on the resilience and ingenuity of the people who lived there. One of the most striking aspects of their society was their ability to organize large-scale construction efforts despite the arid and resource-limited conditions of the region. The communal structure uncovered at the site reflects the cooperation and shared labor that were essential for survival in such an environment. Its size and design indicate that the inhabitants had developed methods of coordinating efforts, possibly through a system of leadership or communal decision-making processes.
Beyond its architectural and trade connections, the site of San Diego provides valuable insights into the broader cultural and social landscape of the Mogollon people. Their way of life, which involved a mix of agriculture, craftsmanship, and long-distance exchange, highlights the adaptability of these communities. The presence of maize kernels, for example, suggests that agriculture played a central role in sustaining the population, while the variety of artifacts found at the site points to a complex material culture influenced by both local traditions and external interactions.
The importance of Casas Grandes as a regional center is further emphasized by the diversity of artifacts found at its satellite settlements, including San Diego. The city’s strategic location likely facilitated interactions between different groups, serving as a hub where people from various regions could trade, exchange knowledge, and participate in shared cultural practices. The presence of Mesoamerican influences, such as the ballcourts, further suggests that Casas Grandes was not an isolated community but rather part of a larger network of civilizations extending throughout Mesoamerica and the Southwestern United States.
As archaeological investigations continue, researchers remain committed to uncovering additional layers of the region’s history. The ongoing work at San Diego is expected to provide further evidence of the daily lives, beliefs, and technological advancements of the people who once inhabited this area. Future excavations may reveal more about the social structures, religious practices, and economic systems that defined the Viejo period and its transition into the later, more complex phase of Casas Grandes.
Ultimately, the findings at San Diego and Casas Grandes contribute to a broader understanding of ancient civilizations in North America. By piecing together evidence from multiple sites, archaeologists can reconstruct a more comprehensive picture of how these societies functioned, adapted, and interacted with their environments and neighboring cultures. The research being conducted by BYU not only enhances our knowledge of the Mogollon culture but also highlights the importance of preserving and studying these archaeological sites for future generations.
Through continued excavation and analysis, archaeologists hope to uncover even more about the people who built and inhabited these settlements, deepening our understanding of their legacy and contributions to the rich tapestry of human history.
