News Archaeology

These ancient Maya-era puppets may have been used in rituals

The figurines indicate cultural connections with other parts of Mesoamerica

Five clay figurines against a black background. The figurines have rounded bodies, minimalistic facial features and distinct postures, most with their hands on their waists. The three larger figurines have similar body proportions, while the two smaller ones are more compact.

These oddly expressive figurines from the ancient Maya world were probably puppets for ritual scenes — and perhaps used for portraying people long dead.

J. Przedwojewska-Szymańska/PASI

By Tom Metcalfe

Five oddly expressive clay figurines, made on the edge of the Maya world about 2,400 years ago, were probably used as puppets in public rituals to commemorate mythical or real events.

“They would have either represented actual personages, or they were generic ‘media’ for rituals connected to rulers,” says archaeologist Jan Szymański of the University of Warsaw.