The word kiva comes to mind. Opinions vary as to whether these were ceremonial places or communal kitchens. Anthropologists are often too ready to declare ritual when they are unsure of something's function. A case in point was a depression noted inside and immediately to the right of the doorway of excavated British Iron Age huts. The general opinion was that they had some ceremonial purpose although no suggestive remains were discovered in these depressions. A reconstructed village was set up at some point and a group of people spent a year living the life ironic. When it rained the chickens would scurrry in to the huts and, upon entering, would turn to the right, rustle around in the dirt to dry themselves off and get out the way for the next chicken.