The excavations in J6 aimed from the beginning to present the architectural remains to visitors as the ancient people saw them. We are certain that not all the architectural elements currently on display were visible at the same time. Today, we see more than 1,000 years presented at once. The Temple Terrace was subject to damage and was both repaired and expanded in size. However, our aim is to give visitors an insight into the ancient perception of space, and to recreate the feeling of standing in front of the 3 meters high revetment wall or of being invited to climb the steps to the summit, where the Temple stood. This was achieved by opening up the view from the south, allowing visitors to approach the monumental staircase from the plaza.
We excavated several squares in the southern part of J6 to open up the view, as we knew there was an empty space, the Plaza. Alongside the staircase runs the staircase flank wall, and the starting point of the wall is marked by the betili. One of these stones has a very smooth surface, probably due to being touched by thousands of people, as visitors do today. This is what we aim to achieve with the site presentation: offer visitors the feeling experienced by the ancients.
visitors climbing the staircase
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