Two archaeologists discovered the ceramic figurines—possibly used as puppets—at the top of a pyramid, and three of them have adjustable heads.

Polish archaeologists who were excavating a large pyramid in San Isidro, El Salvador, found a collection of items that resembled a funeral deposit but were missing human remains, according to a March 5 Facebook post from Antiquity. With the items were five ceramic figurines dating to around 400 B.C., researchers said.

These striking puppets suggest that Indigenous people in what is now El Salvador had rituals that were more connected to the rest of Central American culture than previously thought.

Archaeologists in El Salvador found five rare ceramic puppets atop a pyramid structure. These artifacts, estimated to be 2,400 years old, were likely used in public rituals to depict well-known events, either mythical or real, suggesting cultural ties between El Salvador's ancient societies and their Central American neighbors.

A collection of 2,400-year-old ceramic puppets found atop a Salvadorian pyramid are forcing archaeologists to rethink the country’s historical connection with its Central American neighbors. Three of the figures were made of fine clay and had adjustable heads with holes in them that may have been controlled using a string,

In 2022, archaeologists were excavating ancient ruins in El Salvador when they came across five clay figurines atop the site's tallest pyramid. While examining the artifacts, researchers realized that strings could be threaded through small holes in their necks to make their heads turn from side to side.

Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery atop a pyramid in San Isidro, El Salvador—a set of 2,400-year-old ceramic puppets. According to the research team, these mysterious and expressive puppets may have played a role in ancient public rituals.