In the Araucanía Region of Chile, archaeologists have unearthed three wooden statues, or chemamull, featuring eyes made of polished obsidian. Dated to roughly 150 AD, these figures were found in a ceremonial plaza used for the Nguillatún, a traditional Mapuche festival for community well-being and ancestor veneration.
The use of volcanic glass for the eyes is significant, as it was believed to allow the ancestors to "see" into the world of the living during the ritual dances. This excavation confirms that the core elements of Mapuche ceremonial life have remained remarkably consistent for over two millennia, surviving centuries of external pressure.