The puppets, unearthed in El Salvador, have movable heads, strange facial expressions and may have been dressed for ritual roles.

The ancient Maya, whose world was one of vivid cultural ... from elaborate headdresses to ornate sandals, and even patterns painted directly on the skin. Other images portray warriors or ...

decorated with multicolored patterns, over burning coals. Nine years ago, Golden and his longtime collaborator, Brown University bioarchaeologist Andrew Scherer, identified this site and the ...