The Paquimé archaeological zone is located approximately 350 km northwest of the city of Chihuahua and half a kilometer from the town of Casas Grandes.

Paquimé played an important role in the commercial and cultural relations between the Pueblo culture (which extended throughout the southwest of the current territory of the United States and northern Mexico) and the civilizations of Mesoamerica. In fact, it represents the most significant development in the Mexican area known as Oasisamerica.Paquime has a very important role in the cultural and comercial contacts between the more advanced civilizations of Mesoamerica nad the Pueblo culture established in south-western United States.

This ancient city reached its apogee in the 14th and 15th centuries, as a regional center of notable dimensions, , it was a regional center of notable dimensions and control a vast territory, including settlements such as Cueva de la Olla and Cuarenta Casas.

It is estimated to contain the remains of some 2,000 rooms in clusters of living rooms, workshops and stores, with patios and that the population probably reached around 3,500 inhabitants, but their linguistic and ethnic affiliation is unknown.

Famous for its unfired clay (adobe) constructions and its hundreds of rooms, with doors in a "T" shape. It has two Ball Game fields similar to those of Mesoamerica the only difference are the rounded corners.

In the western part there is a row of structures that served as ceremonial centers, they were built with filling and stone that were probably covered with painted lime.In the western part there is a row of structures that served as ceremonial centers, they were built with filling and stone that were probably covered with painted lime.

Of the total site, only part is excavated.

Some of the important structures are: Casa de las Guacamayas (the Mound of the Macaws), the Casa de la Serpiente (the Mound of the Serpent) and the Casa del Pozo (the Mound of the Well) among others.

Around 1340, the city of Paquimé began to collapsed and by the middle of the 15th century it was abandoned.

More information