Description
The Mogollon Indians were one of four major prehistoric archaeological culture areas of the American Southwest and Northern Mexico. The Mogollon lived in the southwest from approximately 150 A.D. until about 1450 A.D. The name Mogollon comes from the Mogollon Mountains, named after Don Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollón, the Spanish Governor of New Mexico from 1712-1715. Mogollon origins remain a matter of speculation. One theory is that the Mogollon emerged from a Desert Archaic tradition linked to the first (late Pleistocene) prehistoric human occupations of the area (around 9000 BC). In this theory, cultural distinctions emerged in the larger region when populations grew enough to establish villages and larger communities.
Language
Given evidence of influence of the Mogollon on groups among the most southeastern historic Puebolan groups who spoke Piro and Tompiro during historic types, it is possible that some Mogollon groups including the Mimbres may have spoken Tanoan languages.
Culture
They are thought to be the first of the southwestern peoples to farm, build shelters, and make pottery. They also harvested wild plants and hunted small game to supplement their diet. Hunting became more prevalent when they took up the bow and arrow in about 500 A.D. They lived a sedentary village lifestyle near streams, often in canyons or other easily defendable locations. Their homes were similar to Hohokam pit houses though smaller and taller. The most prominent structure, called a kiva, served as the social and ceremonial center of the village.