A 6,000-year-old temple believed to contain sacrificial altars was discovered in Ukraine recently.

A team of archaeologists from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine shared their latest discovery with the attendees of the European Association of Archaeologists' annual meeting.

Nataliya Burdo and Mykhailo Videiko, researchers with the Institute of Archaeology at the Academy, suggested that the temple could have been used to conduct regular rituals of animal sacrifice.

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The researchers found some scattered animal bones and altars inside the ruins of the temple, which contains human-like figurines and ornaments made of bones and gold as well. It measures about 197 x 66 feet in size and was built before writing was invented.

The two-story building was made of wood and clay. It was surrounded by a galleried courtyard. The second floor has five rooms and all are painted red.

The temple was first observed in 2009 and slowly uncovered since.

The temple appears to be part of a significant village that covered more than 66 acres. It contained more than 1,200 buildings and some 50 streets.

The newly discovered Ukrainian temple, part of one of the earliest villages in the Ukraine, was once part of the Trypillian culture. However, just like any villages at that time, it was abandoned eventually and the buildings were burned.

Tags6, 000 Year Old Temple, Ukraine temple, sacrificial temple, sacrificial altar, pre-historic temple