Description

In the Chihuahuan desert of northern Mexico, the Casas Grandes culture flourished in and around the site of Paquimé from 1200-1400 AD. Paquimé is the largest known ancient Puebloan town and was a massive trade centre that specialized in exotic goods like macaws, turquoise, and sea shells. It was also a major producer of ceramics, which are characterized by complex geometric designs that often allude to the organization of the cosmos. Because of the wealth this trade brought, the people of Paquimé were able to build ball courts, large ritual mounds, complex irrigation systems, and elaborate tombs for elites.