Image Details

CHANG-HO JI

PUBLIC RITES. Outside the main temple building, the inner courtyard boasted three prominent offering places: a large central altar, shown here following recent conservation work, and two raised high places at the east and west ends of the temple. The main altar was an impressive 11.5 feet square, and the two high platforms were similarly substantial, with large surfaces for placing burnt offerings. At these outdoor locations, priests would have been able to perform rituals and sacrifices publicly, in full view of visitors to the site, producing plumes of smoke visible from miles away.