Explore the Precontact time period
BCE 10000-9000 Clovis people
The Clovis people are in New Mexico by the end of the last Ice Age (12,000 to 11,200 years ago), although recent research suggests that date may be pushed back even further.
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The Clovis people are in New Mexico by the end of the last Ice Age (12,000 to 11,200 years ago), although recent research suggests that date may be pushed back even further.
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BCE 9000-8000 Folsom people
Folsom people flourish throughout the Southwest at the end of the last Ice Age.
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Folsom people flourish throughout the Southwest at the end of the last Ice Age.
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BCE 10000- 500 Cochise people, earliest evidence of agriculture in the Southwest.
Cochise people are first inhabitants to cultivate corn, squash and beans, the earliest evidence of agriculture in the Southwest.
Read More: Corn Deities and Read More: Corn Mountain
Cochise people are first inhabitants to cultivate corn, squash and beans, the earliest evidence of agriculture in the Southwest.
Read More: Corn Deities and Read More: Corn Mountain
CE 1-700 Anasazi basketmakers
Anasazi basketmakers elevate weaving to a high art, creating baskets, clothing, sandals and utensils.
Anasazi basketmakers elevate weaving to a high art, creating baskets, clothing, sandals and utensils.
CE 300-1400 Mogollon culture
Mogollon culture introduces highly artistic pottery and early architecture in the form of pit houses.
Mogollon culture introduces highly artistic pottery and early architecture in the form of pit houses.
CE 700-1300 Anasazi culture evolves into Chaco Civilization
Anasazi or Ancestral Pueblo culture centered on the Four Corners area are best known for their occupation of stone and adobe dwellings, such as cliff dwellings and Great Houses.
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Anasazi or Ancestral Pueblo culture centered on the Four Corners area are best known for their occupation of stone and adobe dwellings, such as cliff dwellings and Great Houses.
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CE 1100 Anasazi People Settle Jemez Mountains
Beginning in the late 1100s, the upland mesas flanking the east side of the Jemez Mountains were settled by people of the Anasazi Culture. At first there were hundreds of individual, family size dwellings.
Beginning in the late 1100s, the upland mesas flanking the east side of the Jemez Mountains were settled by people of the Anasazi Culture. At first there were hundreds of individual, family size dwellings.
CE 1300 Anasazi abandonment of the Four Corners area
Abandonment of Four Corners area; population increase further south in Rio Grande and Little Colorado regions and Hopi mesas.
Abandonment of Four Corners area; population increase further south in Rio Grande and Little Colorado regions and Hopi mesas.
CE 1325-1598 Anasazi of the Rio Grande Classic period
Anasazi occupy the Pajarito Plateau, creating larger, relatively long-lived villages.
Anasazi occupy the Pajarito Plateau, creating larger, relatively long-lived villages.
CE 1200-1500s Pueblo Indians occupy sites along the Rio Grande
Most of the Rio Grande Valley and adjacent areas of New Mexico were sparsely populated before 1300, a date used as a starting point for the establishment of many of the Pueblo villages that are still lived in today.
Most of the Rio Grande Valley and adjacent areas of New Mexico were sparsely populated before 1300, a date used as a starting point for the establishment of many of the Pueblo villages that are still lived in today.
CE 1450s-1550s Navajos and Apaches arrive in the Southwest
Navajos and Apaches, Athabascan-speakers, arrive in the Southwest from the north. Earliest evidence of Navajos indicates they raise corn and produce grey ceramic ware. Apaches enter the area about the same time.
Navajos and Apaches, Athabascan-speakers, arrive in the Southwest from the north. Earliest evidence of Navajos indicates they raise corn and produce grey ceramic ware. Apaches enter the area about the same time.
