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Ammon News - Buried in the orange-brown soil of a hilltop in Greece sat a labyrinth-like structure. The 3,700-year-old ruins had long been abandoned and forgotten — but not anymore.

Archaeologists began excavating a hilltop near Kastelli on the island of Crete as part of the construction of an airport, the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports said in a June 11 news release. The roughly 1,600-foot peak was intended to be the location of a radar station.

As they dug, a massive circular structure began to emerge.

The ruins had eight concentric rings and spanned about 19,400 square feet, officials said. The central sections were divided into smaller parts with narrow openings, creating a labyrinth-like feel.

Archaeologists dated the structure to between 2000 B.C. and 1700 B.C. and linked it to the Minoan civilization. Its purpose, however, remains unclear.

Based on the large amount of animal bones found at the site, archaeologists suspect the ruins periodically served a ritual purpose, officials said. Ancient people may have eaten food, drank wine and left offerings at the site.

Photos show the 3,700-year-old ruins. The remaining walls measure about 5.6 feet tall and about 5 feet thick, officials said. The central sections likely had a vaulted or cone-shaped roof.

Archaeologists described the structure as a “unique and extremely interesting find,” according to a translation from the Associated Press.

The mysterious wheel-shaped structure is the first of its kind found in Crete and has no exact parallels, archaeologists said.

Excavations at the hilltop and construction of the airport are ongoing. Officials hope to balance both projects.

Crete is the largest and most populated island in Greece. The island is roughly 200 miles south from Athens. Kastelli is near the center of the island.