A unique place of Joya de Cerén is just 30 kilometers from the capital of El Salvador. This is a kind of Salvadoran Pompeii. This village also experienced a terrible volcanic eruption. But, unlike the inhabitants of Pompeii, the residents of Joya de Cerén managed to escape.

In the Classic Period of the Maya civilization, it was a rich and prosperous village with hundreds of people. There was a traditional system of streets, large temples, priests' houses, warehouses, and baths. Everything a person needs for a long and happy life.

However, in the 6th century AD, there was a terrible eruption of a volcano located near the village. Although it was large-scale, it was not as fast as in Pompeii since the inhabitants of Joya de Cerén managed to leave their homes. They had to leave everything that they had created and earned.

The settlement had been buried under a huge layer of ash for many centuries. Until in 1976, archaeologists accidentally discovered the top of one of the temples. Since they couldn't immediately determine which village they had found, it was not possible to find funds for exploring the territory. The first serious excavations began there in 1978.

Today, 70 constructions have been discovered on the territory of Joya de Cerén. Of course, residential buildings are the most interesting, since everything has been preserved in them, to the smallest detail: dishes, furniture, jewelry, ritual amulets. These findings allow scientists and tourists to study the history of the Maya civilization in more detail.

The workshops located in this village were also unusual. They were slightly different from those that archaeologists had seen before. Most likely, some special dishes were made there and probably were later exported to other cities.

And, of course, it is very interesting to see the local Acropolis: a large platform built of stones with ancient pyramids and towers.

Fortunately, no human skeletons were found on the territory of the settlement. The remains were found only in burials in several cemeteries. Among them were small family crypts.

Today, there are not only archaeological works, but also an open-air museum dedicated to such an interesting life of the ancient Mayan tribes.