The Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site became El Salvador’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. It is a well-preserved archaeological site discovered by accident during construction in 1976 in La Libertad, El Salvador.
The Spanish name "Joya de Cerén" means "The Jewel of Cerén." This highly valued site is recognized as a World Heritage Site. Let us introduce you to the Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site.
What is the Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site?
This region of Joya de Cerén had small settlements around 1200 BCE. However, around 200 CE, the Ilopango volcano erupted, devastating the area with volcanic ash. Around 400 CE, people returned, and by the 6th century, the village of Cerén is believed to have been formed. But around 590 CE, another volcano, Loma Caldera—not Ilopango—erupted. It erupted 14 times in just 10 days. As a result, 14 layers of ash buried the village of Cerén.
No human remains have been found, but items such as furniture, tableware, and even partially eaten food remain.
The low-temperature volcanic ash quickly formed a 4 to 8-meter-thick layer that enveloped the entire village, which is why the ruins are so well-preserved. For this reason, it is also called the Pompeii of the Americas.
Name: Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site
Address: Km 32, Carr San Juan Opico - Agua Escondida, El Salvador
Official/Related Website URL: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/675
How to Access the Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site
To get to the World Heritage Site of Joya de Cerén, first travel to San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. From San Salvador, there are direct buses to the site. There are also direct buses from Santa Ana (heading toward Opico).
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=13.827921,-89.356239&z=16&t=m&hl=ja&gl=JP&mapclient=embed&cid=17050139214703601222
Highlights of the Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site
◆ Highlight ①: The Ruins of Joya de Cerén
The Joya de Cerén World Heritage Site may not be large in scale, but it is a valuable site preserving the daily life of the ancient Maya people. The well-preserved ruins convey what life was like at the time.
Seventeen brick buildings including storage rooms, kitchens, residential areas, and workshops were excavated from beneath the volcanic ash. In addition, communal baths, assembly halls, and pyramid-like religious structures were also found. Thanks to the cool, humid ash, plant remains were also preserved. The most significant among them is cassava. The cassava found at Joya de Cerén is the oldest cultivated cassava farmland known in any archaeological site. Other plants such as corn and cacao have also been discovered.
◆ Highlight ②: The Museum of the Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site
There is a small museum at the Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site. It is highly recommended to visit before exploring the ruins outside.
The museum displays artifacts excavated from the site and provides explanations about the ruins. There are also photos showing the excavation process, making it an excellent place to learn about this World Heritage Site. The displayed artifacts are housed in glass cases. Particularly interesting are a rat that was buried alive and preserved, and carbonized corn remains.
By learning more about Joya de Cerén before touring the ruins, your visit will be even more enjoyable.
◆ Highlight ③: The Garden of the Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site
The Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site is planted with many local plant species. When visiting a World Heritage Site, it’s easy to focus only on the ruins—but don’t forget to appreciate the colorful flowers and grasses as well.
Around the site and along the path there are many trees such as ceiba and mango. There are also many fruit-bearing plants, and depending on the season, you might see cashew nuts. Upon closer inspection of the ruins, you may find small holes—these are actually bird nests. The national bird, the turquoise-browed motmot (Trogon), lives in the ruins.
Outside the capital San Salvador, El Salvador offers vast natural landscapes. One of the pleasures of visiting Joya de Cerén is the chance to see the region’s unique South American plants and wildlife.
◎ Summary of the Joya de Cerén World Heritage Site
How was this introduction to the Joya de Cerén World Heritage Site? Viewing the village buried under volcanic ash allows us to reflect on life in that era. The multiple layers of ash are also breathtaking. Joya de Cerén is a precious site that reveals the power of nature and the lives of ancient people—why not pay it a visit?