2,400-Year-Old Ritual Puppets Discovered Atop Salvadorian Pyramid

The figurines, featuring movable heads and shifting expressions, reveal cultural connections across ancient Central America.

Five clay figurines, dating to around 400 BCE, were excavated from the San Isidro pyramid in El Salvador's Sonsonate region.
Three larger figurines feature articulated heads designed to rotate, allowing for dynamic facial expressions depending on the viewing angle.
The figurines are believed to have been used in ritual performances, possibly to depict mythical or real events, as part of public ceremonies.
The discovery challenges previous assumptions of El Salvador's isolation, showing cultural ties to regions like Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.
The artifacts, including jade pendants and pottery, suggest the San Isidro site was part of a broader network of exchange and shared traditions in ancient Central America.