An ancient cult complex believed to be about 3,300 years old has been discovered by archaeologists in Israel while digging a site in Tel Burna, near the city of Kiryat Gat.
Reports indicate that the excavation of the site started in 2009. But researchers have not finished excavating the whole site - whose courtyard alone is estimated to be about 52 by 52 feet(16 ny 16 meters).
Archaeologists are convinced that the ancient cult complex's large size is proof that the building served as an important temple during its peak.
The team has found three "fragments of facemasks, three connected cups and very big jars that are reported to be the size of a fully grown human being."
Archaeologists are still unsure which deity the ancient cult complex may have been dedicated. It is also unclear what other functions the massive building may have served.
Burnt animal bones and stone axes indicative of sacrifices have been found at the site. This has led scientists to believe that the site may have been a temple for either the Canaanite god of storms Baal or the ancient goddess of war Anat.
A scarab with inscriptions of Egyptian hieroglyphics was also discovered at the ancient cult complex. Reports indicate that chalices, goblets and figurines that look part human and animal have also been uncovered.
"The letters of Ugarit (an ancient site in modern-day Syria) suggest that of the Canaanite pantheon, Baal, the Canaanite storm god, would have been the most likely candidate," Itzhag Shai, professor at Ariel University and the director of the Tel Burna Excavation Project told Live Science.
"From the finds within the building, we can reconstruct the occurrence of feasts, indicated by several goblets and a large amount of animal bones. Some of these animal bones are burnt, probably indicating their use in some sacrificial activity," Shai said of the ancient cult complex.
With the ancient cult complex, unlike most excavations, archaeologists are willing to allow people come in and participate in the project even for a few hours.
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