Archaeologists have found five 2,400-year-old puppets, designed to shift emotions depending on the viewing angle, on a pyramid in El Salvador.

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,

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

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.