In San Isidro, El Salvador, archaeologists have unearthed a stunning set of 2,400-year-old ceramic puppets atop a pyramidal structure. These findings shed new light on ancient public rituals and cultural exchanges in Central America. First reported in the journal Antiquity, the findings contradict previous ᴀssumptions that the area was an isolated culture and support its integration with neighboring cultures.

Five figurines discovered atop El Salvador pyramid. Scale in centimetres. Credit: J. Przedwojewska-Szymańska/PASI; Antiquity (2025)

The five figurines (four females and one male) were discovered during an excavation led by archaeologist Jan Szymański at the University of Warsaw in 2022. The site did not contain any human remains, unlike typical burial offerings, which has led researchers to ᴀssume that the figurines were used in public rites rather than funerary practices.

One of the most striking aspects of these puppets is their expressive faces, which appear to change emotions depending on the viewer’s angle. “Seen from above they appear almost grinning, but when looked at from the level angle they turn angry or disdainful, to become scared when seen from below,” Szymański said in a statement. While it is uncertain, the authors hypothesize that this was an intentional design that may have enhanced the puppets’ role in the ritual performances of mythology and historical events.

Location of the tableau and the hollow figurine body in the excavation on top of Cerrito 1. Credit: M. Sokołowski/PASI; Antiquity (2025)

Three puppets are almost a foot tall (30 centimeters), while the other two measure about 18 centimeters and 10 centimeters in height. The largest puppets are depicted ɴuᴅᴇ, while the smaller ones have locks of hair and ear ornaments. Importantly, the three biggest puppets have movable heads and open mouths, like today’s toy dolls; therefore, this reinforces the theory that they were used in theatrical storytelling or reenactments.

Protrusion and socket allowing for articulation of the head seen in all three large figurines. Credit: J. Przedwojewska-Szymańska/PASI; Antiquity (2025)

This is only the second instance in which figurines have been found in their original context, and it represents the first-ever identification of a male figure among them. The six other similar figurines were found in 2012 in the highlands of Guatemala. They were all female and dated back to the Late Middle Preclassic period (350–100 BCE). Their similarities seem to suggest a shared cultural tradition across the region.

Other artifacts were also uncovered alongside the puppets, including jade pendants, stacks of serving vessels, and a grinding stone that was broken. The jade artifacts closely resemble those found in the ancient sites of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, further reinforcing trade and cultural connections between these regions.

Head of the male figurine with tattoos or scarification. Credit: J. Przedwojewska-Szymańska/PASI; Antiquity (2025)

In El Salvador, archaeological excavations are quite challenging due to natural disasters and modern urbanization. Large volcanic eruptions of Ilopango between CE 400 and CE 500 buried many ancient sites under layers of ash. Moreover, the area’s dense population limits the scope of archaeological digs. As Szymański noted, “Very little is known about the idenтιтies and ethnolinguistic affiliations of the creators of ancient settlements that predate the arrival of Europeans in the early 16th century.”

“This discovery contradicts the prevailing notion about El Salvador’s cultural backwardness or isolation in the ancient times,” Szymański added. “It reveals the existence of vibrant and far-reaching communities capable of exchanging ideas with remarkably distant places.”

More information: Szymański, J., & Prejs, G. (2025). Of puppets and puppeteers: Preclassic clay figurines from San Isidro, El Salvador. Antiquity, 1–17. doi:10.15184/aqy.2025.37