Sitio Arqueológico Tazumal
Located 80 kilometers from San Salvador, El Tazumal is a unique site that shows the legacy of indigenous civilization that ruled El Salvador before the colonial era.
El Tazumal, which translates into “The Place Where Souls are Consumed” in Nahuatl Quiché language, is located within the town of Chalchuapa.
El Tazumal is part of the Western archaeological area that has an approximate size of 10 km ² and where Casa Blanca, El Trapiche and other archeological sites are found.
It was studied formally in 1940 by archaeologist Stanley Boggs, who was able to identify 13 different structures.
This site was an important and sophisticated Mayan settlement that thrived between the years 100 to 1200 AD, and was related with Copan (Honduras) and had strong Teotihuacan and Toltec culture influence.
Within El Tazumal you may see water systems, tombs, a ball court, pyramids and temples that where abandoned in the year 1,200 AD
The construction technique used was Mayan-style clay and stone building coated with mud plaster. Today, the structures show restoration work carried out in the forties, when the structures where coated with cement.
With the passage of time the pyramids have been exposed to severe weather conditions, this has forced authorities to protect some structures at risk of collapse. Such was the case in 2004, when part of structure # 2 collapsed and led to excavations that confirmed the influence of the Toltec Empire at El Tazumal.
The “Stanley Boggs” museum
Founded on 1952, this museum exhibits a detailed overview of the cultures that have inhabited the current city of Chalchuapa.
Some early excavations in the area have revealed important findings about indigenous life in the Post-Classic period.
The exhibition includes pottery, earrings, pendants, necklaces, rings, jade axes, yokes, carved pyrite, pearls and other items.
Here you will see the famous Stele of El Tazumal with 2.65 meters in height and 1.16 meters wide. It shows a character with an impressive outfit holding a scepter. This sculpture was found by the historian James I. Barberena in 1892.
How to get there:
Address: Diagonal east 5th street, El Cuje street, Chalchuapa, Santa Ana.
To get to Chalchuapa drive towards Ahuachapán, or the route towards Las Chinamas International Border. The road is well signposted.
El Tazumal archaeological site diversion will be on your left off the main street.
Bus routes: from San Salvador board 202, 210 and 218. Ticket cost from US$ 1.50
More:
Hours:
- Monday CLOSED
- Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm
Rates:
- Salvadoran and Central American US$ 1.00
- Foreign: US$ 3.00
- Light vehicle parking: US$ 1.00
- Large vehicles (or buses): US$ 2.00
Phone: (503) 2444-0010
Website: http://www.cultura.gob.sv/temas/sitios-arqueologicos/tazumal.html
Satellite Location
Elevation 2390 feet
N 13 ° 58,807 ‘
W 89 ° 40,438 ‘
AVISO
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