Archaeologists uncover an ancient Mayan village buried under 17 feet of volcanic ash

Archaeologists call it the "New World Pompeii." Under 17 feet of volcanic ash, archaeologists back in 1978 discovered what is the "best-preserved Maya village in all of Latin America." And now, as excavation continues, countless clues as to what life there was like in A.D. 660 are emerging.

Recent research led by the University of Colorado, Boulder reveal Cerén, located in modern-day El Salvador, once was a farming village of about 200 people who largely lived free of the influences of the ruling elite. Twelve buildings have been uncovered so far, including "living quarters, storehouses, workshops, kitchens, religious buildings, and a community sauna," Archaeology says. The team has also discovered numerous "specialty items," such as jade axes, that they believe the villagers traded with elites to get.

Perhaps most notable, though, is the discovery of a roadway complete with footprints that preserved the last moments of frantic escape after the volcano erupted. "More than half of the footprints were headed south away from the village, away from the danger," Boulder anthropology professor Payson Sheets said in a press release. "I think at least some of them were left by people fleeing the eruption."

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Excavations are expected to continue for decades to come.