Archaeological studies at Joya de Ceren, El Salvador revealed archaeological material of a Maya village, including houses, fields, temples, warehouses and sweat lodges.
The “American Pompey�? as Joya de Ceren is also known, was near Loma de Caldera Volcano; the eruption towards 600 AD resulted in a human catastrophe.
Evidence of yucca plantations were found under 14 layers of ashes, declared Fabricio Valdivieso, coordinator of Archaeology Department of the El Salvador National Council for Culture and Art, at the conference he presented at the 20th Anthropological and History Book Fair (FLAH).
Joya de Copan is located near San Juan de Opico, El Salvador. In spite of have being discovered 30 years ago, archaeological excavations began in 1989, leaded by American archaeologist Payson Sheets. The archaeological site provides crucial information about what Classic period Mayas cultivated and consumed.
“Studies reveal this was a Classic period community, covered with ashes of a volcano located 1.5 km away, which conserved intact the last chapter of human activity in the area, more than 1,400 years ago�?informed the researcher.
The El Salvador Archaeology Department officer declared at the conference presented within the frame of the 13th Roman Piña Chan Symposium, dedicated to Mesoamerican archaeology, that tests performed in 2007 revealed this people consumed yucca.
The fields were covered with 14 layers of ashes; researchers were able to find imprints of vegetables, which cast molds revealed was yucca. Other produce included bean, maize, squash, cacao, guava and chili.
The specialist remarked that social and economic crisis resulting from the peace agreement in 1992, finishing a 10-years civil war, did not allow archaeological research. To the present day, only 10% of the site has been explored.
Joya de Ceren is included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List since 1993
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
First 