It was the most important pre-Hispanic city of northern Mexico.

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.

Paquime was a cultural center in north Mexico for over 300 years during the years 1200 to 1450 A.D. During its peak, in the 14th and 15th centuries, it was a regional center of notable dimensions and control a vast territory, including settlements such as Cueva de la Olla and Cuarenta Casas. Around 1340, the city of Paquimé began to collapsed and by the middle of the 15th century it was abandoned.

This culture was perfectly adapted to its physical and economic environment. 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. In fact, only 20% of the site has been excavated.