A cataclysmic volcanic eruption from the Ilopango Caldera in the early 6th century CE rendered El Salvador and surrounding areas uninhabitable, and eliminated the Miraflores branch of Maya civilization. Local recovery required a few decades, and the Maya that founded Ceren were among the earliest colonizers. We will explore their successes in the middle of the Classic Period.

That came to an abrupt end when a very close volcanic vent, Loma Caldera, erupted and buried the village under 4-7 meters of volcanic ash. The villagers were holding a harvest ceremony at their community religious building when the eruption occurred, and they had sufficient warning to flee to the south. The sacbe discovered last summer probably was their evacuation route.