Tazumal - El Salvador's largest system of pyramids and associated Maya structures.

El Salvador Maya temple - abandoned around 1200 AD, before the Spanish incursion.

El Salvador has a long history of indigenous inhabitation.  Tazumal, the largest of the excavated sites, has 16 identified structures and a main pyramid that rises about 80 feet above the site's base.  I hiked around the site several times, climbed up as high as I was allowed, and photographed the site extensively.

The area was only inhabited for 900 years or so by the Maya and later inhabited by Pipils until it was totally abandoned around 1200 AD.   The site was excavated beginning in 1942 and inaugurated in 1952.  The site was originally made with raw stone but was coated with concrete, which prevents it from being recognized by UNESCO.  

Around the 5th century AD, the nearby volcano erupted, covering the area with ash and rock.  The site was abandoned for several generations and eventually reinhabited, where work continued.  This is not uncommon in El Salvador, as the area has been heavily affected by the over 200 volcanoes present in the area.  Today, there are 6 volcanoes monitored by the government.

It was an enlightening adventure.  I particularly enjoyed photographing the birds and lizards I found in the area.  Below is a photo of an iguana I took there.

Black spiny-tailed iguana I photographed while visiting Tazumal in El Salvador

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com

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