<human>:  What is the history of puppetry?
<bot>: The history of puppetry dates back to the early beginnings of civilization, with evidence of puppet-making and puppet-use practices arising from literature, artifacts, and archaeological records from many different cultures around the world. Puppetry has been an integral part of storytelling, entertainment, religion, education, and political satire for centuries. In ancient Egypt, puppets were an important part of ceremonies to honor the gods and goddesses, while in Europe in the Middle Ages, puppetry was used as a form of entertainment. In Japan, Bunraku puppetry, a form of traditional puppet theatre, is thought to have originated in the late 16th century and is still performed today. In the 19th and 20th centuries, puppetry became more popular as a form of entertainment, with Victorians staging elaborate puppet shows, and modern productions often combining theatre, music, and puppetry.