Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Objects Facet
3. Components (hierarchy name)
4. components (objects parts)
5. [components by specific context]
6. architectural elements
7. [architectural elements by building type]
8. religious building fixtures
9. [altars and altar components]
10. altars (religious fixtures)

Additional parents:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Objects Facet
3. Built Environment
4. Single Built Works
5. single built works
6. single built works by specific type
7. single built works by function
8. ceremonial structures
9. religious structures

Narrower term/s

• fire altars
• arae
• thymeles
• bomoi
• grave altars [NP]
• council altars (Roman Catholic church)

Anotations

Scope note:

Altars of any faith or culture that are not connected to or supported by a building or other structure. The term typically includes outdoor altars, and altars that are placed within a building but are not architecturally attached to the walls or structure of the building. Note that in some cases, particularly in certain periods of Catholic architecture, it may at first glance appear that an altar is attached to the wall, but it is in fact freestanding in keeping with the ecclesiastical prescription that the high altar must stand free on all sides, although the backs of smaller altars may be built against the wall.