Zona Arqueológica Las 40 Casas, Madera, Chihuahua.

The Cliff Houses Culture was contemporaneous with the period of greatest prosperity of the ancient city of Paquimé. Its inhabitants lived primarily in what is now the municipality of Madera, in dwellings built into caves within the imposing cliffs, where rivers and streams still flow. Among numerous sites, the Las 40 Casas Archaeological Zone stands out, located 43 kilometers northwest of the city of Madera. Its dwellings were constructed with molded earth and wooden beams, reaching up to three levels or stories. Its most flourishing period was between 1060 and 1205. The ancient inhabitants of this area lived by hunting and gathering; they used the available wood for cooking, warmth, making tools, and building their homes. Today, Las 40 Casas is something of a living museum where visitors enjoy beautiful landscapes and a trail that allows them to connect with nature before arriving at the caves where the ancient earthen structures are located.