GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS NATIONAL MONUMENT

national monument in southwestern New Mexico, U.S., in the Gila National Forest near the headwaters of the Gila River. In rugged country 30 mi (48 km) north of Silver City, it contains groups of small but well-preserved Pueblo Indian dwellings in natural cavities of an overhanging cliff 150 ft (45 m) high. The dwellings were inhabited from about AD 100 to 1300. Established in 1907, the monument occupies 533 ac (216 ha).