Archaeologists have unearthed a 6,000-year-old temple in Ukraine that appears to have been used for animal sacrifices, according to a report from Live Science.

The site, which predates the invention of writing, measures about 197 by 66 feet, and was a two-story building constructed of wood and clay. It had a courtyard and a second floor with five rooms. Archaeologists discovered eight clay platforms within the temple which were likely used as altars. Bolstering that theory were the numerous burnt lamb bones found on a platform on the second floor. They also found that whoever built the temple decorated the floors and walls of the rooms with red paint, which would designate them for a ceremonial purpose.

The temple is part of a larger settlement first detected in 2009 near Nebelivka, located in central Ukraine due south of the capital of Kiev. The settlement site is 238 hectares — twice the size of the National Mall in Washinton, D.C., according to the report.

The settlement, and numerous ones like it found in Ukraine, is believed to be part of Cucuteni-Trypillian culture during the neolithic era of Europe. When the peoples of this culture abandoned their settlements, they often burned down their buildings, only staying in one location for a limited period of time. Scientists have yet to determine whey they did this.

Researchers also unearthed fragments of human-like figurines within the temple, as well as ornaments made of bone and gold, which were light enough to be worn in the hair.

Archaeologists have been studying the site for years, and in March released a detailed report describing their findings from the “mega-site” of Nebelivka in depth.