Joya de Ceren

In the back is a round structure, a sauna

the layers of ash are evident here

a meeting house

Traveling with a tour guide, Dionisio, enriched our visit to Joya de Ceren and sites along the Rut de Flores in northwestern El Salvador. Joya de Ceren is an archeological site that was discovered in 1976 during excavations to build grain silos in this farming area. This find is called the 'Pompeii of El Salvador' due to the a sudden covering by volcanic ash, resulting in the excellent preservation of the Mayan village. The buildings in this site are interesting as they portray the common, everyday life of the Mayan culture, whereas other archeological sites focus on the temples and kings of the era. Funds are being sought to continue excavation as only a small portion of this Mayan settlement has been uncovered.