These were thought to be religious in nature. The structures had grooves in the rock, which were thought to be grooves for the the blood of the sacrifices to run out. Later investigation showed that these were in fact olive presses from the Roman era, and that the grooves were for the olive oil to run out.
https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/remains-of-the-olive-oi...
These were thought to be religious in nature. The structures had grooves in the rock, which were thought to be grooves for the the blood of the sacrifices to run out. Later investigation showed that these were in fact olive presses from the Roman era, and that the grooves were for the olive oil to run out.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259417162_Roman_Sit...