JOYA DE CEREN
DESCRIPTION
A unique window to the past. The archaeological site of Joya de Cerén is unique in all Mesoamerica since it shows how indigenous people lived before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors. The eruption of Volcano Caldera in 600AD interrupted the daily life of this community which was preserved by more than 10 layers of ash until its discovery in 1976. It is a very important site since it now represents the remains of the best preserved Pre Hispanic Village of Mesoamerica.
In 1976, a tractor discovered the debris of a house while doing construction work in the area. Fortunately, the finding was reported and research was triggered. Dr. Payson Sheets from the University of Colorado led the investigations and determined that the house encountered by the tractor was 1,400 years old.
HIGHLIGHTS
World Heritage Site and the best preserved Pre Hispanic Village of Mesoamerica.
Comprehensive museum on site explaining the site’s history and a display of the artifacts found.
ACTIVITIES
Educational session learning from local guides.
DISTANCE
From San Salvador City: West; 15 Kilometers / 35 minutes.
RECOMMENDS
Light and comfortable clothing.
After this finding, the site has been protected and several excavations have been made for its further study.The ashes of the eruption completely covered this Mayan town, but to this date no bodies have been found, an indication that the community had enough warning time to escape. Fortunately for the archaeologists and for us all, they did leave behind most of their belongings which vividly illustrates the daily lives of the common people who lived 1,400 years ago in what is now El Salvador.
The site has approximately 18 structures of which ten have been excavated, revealing passages and homes built of white soil, clay and mud. There is also a house of a shaman (spiritual advisor), a Temascal (steam bath), a communal kitchen, home gardens and family storage in which they found corn and beans. In a borehole, the imprint of a foot was also found.
The site also offers a comprehensive museum that illustrates the site´s history and displays a variety of pottery, household goods and cereal seeds that have been found at Joya de Ceren.