An overhead shot of the excavated 6,000-year-old temple. (Burdo/Videiko/Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine) |
The two-story wood and clay structure stretches 197 feet in length and 66 feet wide; it was outfitted with a courtyard. First discovered in 2009, it has has slowly been uncovered since. Researchers have been exploring the area where the temple was found since the 1970’s. The worship site was part of a significant village, spanning more than 66 acres. At its height, the ancient settlement boasted more than 1,200 buildings and some 50 streets.
In addition to burnt animal bones, archaeologists discovered human-like figurines and ornaments made of bones and gold. The temple and settlement were products of the “Trypillian” culture, a name given to the culture of one of Ukraine’s earliest villages, Trypillia. Similar to other villages of the time period, the settlement was eventually abandoned and all the buildings burned.