Polish archaeologists from the University of Warsaw have discovered five ceramic figurines, dated to around 400 BC, atop the largest pyramidal structure at San Isidro, El Salvador.
Five figurines from the San Isidro deposit. Scale in centimetres (credit: J. Przedwojewska-Szymańska/PASI)
The archaeology of pre-Columbian El Salvador is poorly understood in comparison to neighbouring countries. Its high population density makes excavation difficult, and volcanic eruptions have obscured archaeological sites.
“Very little is known about the identities and ethnolinguistic affiliations of the creators of ancient settlements that predate the arrival of Europeans in the early 16th century”, states Dr Jan Szymański from the University of Warsaw. “This gets worse the further back in time we look.”
To fill this gap in our knowledge, Dr Szymański and his colleague Gabriela Prejs excavated at the large, hitherto unexcavated site of San Isidro in the Department of Sonsonate, western El Salvador.
The results of this research were published in Antiquity.
At the top of the largest pyramidal structure at the site, the researchers made an unexpected discovery: a rich offering resembling a funeral deposit, but without any human remains. There they found five ceramic figurines, dating to c. 400 BC.
“These figurines are only the second set found in situ and the first to include a male figure,” said Dr. Jan Szymański from the University of Warsaw.
Protrusion and socket allowing for articulation of the head seen in all three large figurines (credit: J. Przedwojewska-Szymańska/PASI)
Three of the figurines feature removable heads, resembling modern dolls possibly used during ceremonial performances.
Their dramatic expressions shift with viewing angles, suggesting that they played a role in public rituals.
Head of the male figurine with tattoos or scarification. Width 55mm (credit: J. Przedwojewska-Szymańska/PASI)
Researchers also found artifacts similar to those from Guatemala and the Isthmo-Colombian area, hinting at extensive interactions among distant communities.
“This discovery challenges the view that ancient Salvadoran societies were culturally isolated,” Dr. Szymański said, pointing to evidence of dynamic, interconnected groups that shared ideas across Central America.
Source:
Nauka w Polsce
Polskie Radio
More:
Archeowieści.pl
