ARCHAEOLOGY

Joya Del Ceren

Discovered in 1976, Joya del Ceren is a Mayan farming village that was buried by volcanic ashes around 600A.D. In 1993 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. They are located about 20 miles west of San Salvador.

Ruinas del Tazumal

"Las ruinas del Tazumal" are one of the largest ruins in El Salvador. They are located in the city of Chalchuapa (50miles northwest of San Salvador), in the department of Santa Ana. Archaelogists have estimated that the first settlers in the area moved in around 5000B.C. Object found at the site show that the inhabitants had established trade with places as far away as Mexico and Panama. Although some pyramids have been unearthed, it is believed that the majority of the site is yet to be explored.

There are many shops around the ruins that claim to sell original Mayan artifacts. This is not true but some will go to the extent to bury the pieces and then unearth them to make them look more authentic. Beware of this. It is illegal to take any original pieces out of the country anyway.

Ruinas de San Andres

These ruins are not as big as the ones of Tazumal and are less frequented. As you visit, you will be able to see the shape of unburied pyramids waiting to be uncovered. There is a small museum providing the history of the site. They are located about 30 minutes from San Salvador off the Panamerican Highway.

Ruinas de Cihuatan

Located near Aguilares, Cihuatan consists of at least 900 structures including houses, walls, civic buildings, structures designed to store food and three ball courts. It is believed that this city was abandoned around 1200AD for unknown reasons. Cihuatan was also taken over by the guerrillas during the civil war of El Salvador making it accessible to the public only after the war was over (in 1992).