Publications
The Soundscape in the Replica of the Cerén Temazcal
A unique acoustic phenomenon within the Joya de Cerén temazcal, a 7th-century Maya sweatbath, reveals that its earthen dome morphology sustains low-frequency sounds (64 Hz) while dampening higher frequencies. This resonance, which amplifies male voices but not those of females or children, suggests the structure was acoustically engineered for specific ritual and social functions, such as divination and curing. The study analyzed sound recordings from a precise replica built in 2012, providing new insights into how ancient Maya communities experienced performance spaces and the role of sound in their lived experiences.
Landscape management and polyculture in the ancient gardens and fields at Joya de Cerén, El Salvador
Exceptional preservation of the Late Classic Maya village Joya de Cerén, buried by the Loma Caldera eruption around 660 CE, offers a unique window into ancient Mesoamerican agricultural practices. Research reveals that villagers employed polyculture farming, combining fruit trees, annual and root crops, fiber plants, and weedy species in productive house-lot gardens and extensive outfields. This diversified approach ensured a nutritionally rich diet, as evidenced by the recovery of maize, manioc, squash, common beans, and other economically useful species through intensive paleoethnobotanical methods. The study underscores the sophisticated landscape management strategies used by ancient inhabitants to maximize food production and sustainability.
Reconstrucción de la agricultura prehispánica en El Salvador previo a la erupción volcánica, a través del análisis de suelos
Research at the Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site in El Salvador has uncovered exceptionally well-preserved evidence of pre-Hispanic agricultural practices, including furrows from maize fields dating to the Late Classic Period. Analysis of soil carbon isotopes (δ13C) revealed that C4 plants, such as maize, were cultivated in the region before the volcanic eruption of Ilopango. Similar findings were observed at other sites like Antiguo Cuscatlan and Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero Boulevard, where grooves under volcanic ash layers provided clues to past agricultural activities. The study highlights the potential of soil analysis to reconstruct ancient farming practices when direct plant remains are absent.
Almacenamiento prehispánico de una aldea maya: análisis de material cerámico procedente de Joya de Cerén, El Salvador
A Mayan village buried by volcanic ash around 650 A.D. at Joya de Cerén, El Salvador, reveals new insights into prehispanic storage and supply systems. Analysis of ceramic materials suggests sophisticated organizational strategies for agricultural production, challenging previous assumptions about the capabilities of indigenous communities in the region. The study, conducted on UNESCO World Heritage Site remains, provides a closer look at daily life, social structures, and religious practices through material culture. By examining pottery linked to storage and resource management, researchers propose new paradigms for understanding human activities and societal organization among the Maya and other indigenous peoples of El Salvador.
Case study: Seismic resistant constructive systems in El Salvador
A case study highlights the seismic resilience of traditional construction techniques, particularly the improved bahareque system derived from ancient Joya de Cerén methods. This approach demonstrates how vernacular architecture can be adapted to modern seismic standards, offering a sustainable and effective solution for housing in El Salvador. The research evaluates the performance of adobe, bahareque, and reinforced brick masonry (mixto) systems under seismic conditions, emphasizing the potential of reviving historical techniques to enhance structural stability.
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