Tazumal is an archeological site located in Chalchuapa, El Salvador. The architectural complex was burrowed by Stanley Boggs between 1940s and 1950s. There are many west facing buildings in this Pre-Columbian Maya site. There is also a beautiful ball court in the site that looks like the unexcavated mounds located in the North West side of the site. The green obsidian artefacts discovered in the site suggest every possible link with the people of central Mexico. The site has been divided into many structures or pyramids such as B1-1, B1-2, B1-3, and B1-4, etc. B1-1 structure is the major structure that defines the Tazumal group. This structure measures up to 240 by 285 ft and was constructed on the Great Platform by Boggs. According to many historians, the B1-1 structure has originated from the central temple. The Temple of the Columns is referred as the superstructure of B1-1. The temple is situated at the western part of the pyramid. And many believe that it was the main entrance to the main pyramid. It had two chambers and square columns. The B1-2 structure on the other hand reminds the visitors of Late Classic. It has been constructed on the south west side of the main pyramid. This structure faces west and was constructed incorporating talud-tablero architectural style. The structure measures 82 by 82 ft. Till now, a total of three ornaments of gold have been burrowed in the site. It has been found that these belong to the 8th century and some connections with Central America have also been found. So far some burials and sculptures have also been excavated in the site.
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Joya de Ceren or the Jewel of Ceren often called the Pompeii of the Americas is an archaeological site located in La Libertad Department in El Salvador. The site safeguards an exuberant pre-Columbian village of Maya civilization. The place was initially inhabited by a small farming community in 1200 BC. But was abandoned in 200 AD when Ilopango volcano erupted. The similar events occurred couple of times in near future and the inhabitants had to flee the place to save their lives. The site was explored again in year 1976 unintentionally by a bulldozer driver who was working on an agriculture project given by the government. After that thorough explorations were conducted by a professor named Payson Sheets on the site. Till now, some 70 buildings have been found. These establishments include workshops, storehouses, communal sauna, kitchens, religious structures, living quarters, etc. According to the archaeologists, the remains of the plant species in the site are of much value than the buildings. Many of the ancient fauna has survived in the place due to the lower levels of temperature of the wet ash received from the Loma Caldera volcano. The frequent eruptions from the volcano also aided in preserving the natural vegetation. The site is also revelled because a vast expanse of manioc or cassava fields has been found. This makes them the only manioc fields at any archaeological site of New World. But according to the sources these fields do not exist at the site anymore. It has been discovered by the researchers that the farmers in the ancient time had planted cassavas few hours before the volcano erupted.
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