A cult complex, dating back about 3,300 years, has been discovered at the site of Tel Burna in Israel.
Though archaeologists haven't excavated the cult complex, they can tell it was large, since the courtyard alone was 52 by 52 feet, according to Live Science.
Inside, researchers found three connected cups, fragments of facemasks, massive jars that are almost as big as a person. Burnt animal bones were found inside as well, which could indicate sacrificial rituals.
"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," Itzhaq Shai, a professor at Ariel University who is directing a research project at Tel Burna, said to Live Science in an email.
The researchers won't rule out that a female deity, like the ancient war goddess Anat, was worshipped there, Shai added.
The artifacts include fragments of two masks.
"The burna mask fragments, both of noses, are quite interesting, because they are quite large, although as seen in (a photo), they were clearly meant to be worn," Shai said. "It is difficult to determine exactly who the masks are depicting and whether it is a specific image. In general, masks are known to have been used in cultic ceremonies and processions."
The researchers believe the three connected cups, which were found in the cultic complex, were most likely imported from Cyprus. The artifacts' use remains a mystery however, according to Live Science.
"In the past, joint vessels similar in concept as the one found here have been considered as cultic objects," said Shai.
The researchers also found massive "pithoi" vessels, or large storage jars, some of which are almost as big as a person. Two of the vessels designs indicated that they were imported from Cyprus.
"Along the eastern edge of the exposed area of the building, a row of sunken pithoi, with several smaller vessels found inside of them, were found," said Shai. "The pithoi were likely used as storage for tithes brought to the cultic complex, although this is also being further analyzed through residue analysis."
Other finds include a cylinder-shaped seal, goblets, chalices, broken figurines that look part-human and part-animal, and even a scarab, an artifact with an Egyptian hieroglyphic inscription on it, according to Live Science.
Though more analysis is needed, the discoveries should help the researchers learn more about the activities that took place in the cult complex.
"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," said Shai.
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