2,400-Year-Old Articulated Figurines Unearthed on El Salvador Pyramid

The discovery of clay puppets with movable heads reveals ancient cultural connections and ritual practices in Central America.

Archaeologists uncovered five ceramic figurines, dating back to 400 BC, atop a pyramid at the San Isidro archaeological site in El Salvador.
The figurines, featuring dramatic expressions and movable heads, were likely used in public rituals reenacting mythical or historical events.
This is only the second such discovery of figurines in their original location, and the first to include a male figure alongside female ones.
The artifacts suggest cultural and trade links between ancient Salvadoran societies and other Central American civilizations, including Guatemala and Nicaragua.
The find challenges prior assumptions of El Salvador's isolation in pre-Columbian times, highlighting its role in a network of vibrant and connected communities.