Image Details

CHANG-HO JI AND BONG-JAE KIM

ATARUZ ARCHITECTURE. The temple at Ataruz consisted of three large rooms along the northwestern edge of the settlement. As with many sacred structures in the region, the temple’s entrance was oriented to the southeast, toward the rising sun on the summer solstice. Situated at the site’s highest point on an elevated platform, the temple would have been visible for miles around. Outside of the main building was a carefully planned series of courtyards, outdoor altars, and additional buildings serving a variety of ritual purposes.