The Joya de Ceren archeological site is one of the most famous archeological sites in El Salvador and the Americas as well as being a UNESCO world heritage site.
Joya de Ceren is located in the department of La Libertad about 38 Kilometers from San Salvador, it is a popular tourist destination specially among archeologist and local students.
This hidden jewel is one of the most important archeological site in the Americas because it shows the everyday life of a Mayan farming community that lived here around the year 400 and was abandoned around the year 600th after a volcanic eruption forced the natives to flee the settlement, however, this volcanic eruption covered Joya de Ceren in many layers of volcanic ash which in turn protected this site from the elements as well as keeping it intact, and in a sort of time capsule for many centuries until it was discovered in 1976 when some construction workers discovered it by accident while building some storage silos. However, it wasn’t until 1993 when it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site and the only one of its kind in El Salvador.
This ancient village gives us an insight into how the pre-Hispanic people lived all those centuries ago, the houses are formed by 3 main structures which are made out of a bedroom, kitchen and a storage room, as well as having a farming area and in some cases, they even had a fence separating each property. Some of the cooking utensils found at this archaeological site include knifes, grinding stones, clay plates and storage containers with food remains that include beans, cocoa, and peppers.
Joya de Ceren was recently renovated after having a 1.3-million-dollar investment by the government which includes the remodeling of the museum with a didactic exhibition on the daily life of the pre-Hispanic inhabitant. “The museum building has been renovated, it has new lighting, furniture and a museographic script in Spanish, French and English”, explained the architect Víctor Barrientos, from the National Directorate of Cultural Heritage.
If you are interested in archeological sites, visiting this hidden Jewel is a must.