Clay dolls found atop a ruined pyramid in El Salvador have raised questions about the mysterious people who left them there.
Some of the creations, which resemble dolls, have expressive faces with movable heads. They are believed to be nearly 2,000 years old, dating from 410-380 BC.
Archaeologists found five of them, with three larger figurines measuring about 30 cm tall.
The excavation of the ruins of a pyramid at the site of San Isidro in El Salvador was led by archaeologists Jan Szymański and Gabriela Prejs, both from the University of Warsaw.
These extremely rare objects are known as the Bolinas figurines. It is believed that these clay creations can reveal the fascinating life of an ancient Mesoamerican civilization.
All five figurines have an open mouth and vary in size. The three largest models have movable heads with a small cavity into which the neck fits.
Researchers say the heads of the three largest figurines could be rotated using a string passed through two holes in the head.
“From the beginning, we saw them as puppets—as actors made of clay,” Szymański told National Geographic.
Other clay figurines have been discovered in Mesoamerica, a cultural region that includes Mexico and Central America. However, it is unclear which civilization made the figurines found at San Isidro. Several civilizations flourished in Mesoamerica, including the Maya, Olmec, and Aztec. Szymański suggests that whoever left the figurines on top of the pyramid likely used them for rituals.
"I had this strange feeling like we found something strange," Szymański reflects.
