TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A mysterious stone structure was discovered Saturday by crews demolishing an old tin building in Taichung City's Central District.

The city government dispatched staff from the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Cultural Heritage Office to inspect the site, which may date to the Japanese colonial period, according to CNA. Some scholars have suggested it could be a post-war reconstruction of an older building.

Although the structure was slated for demolition, public interest and the city’s investigation have paused further work at the site. The tin building that previously surrounded the structure had been uninhabited for years and was demolished following complaints from local residents that it posed a health hazard.

Photos of the small stone building shared online sparked discussion among netizens about its origin and purpose. Some speculated that it may have been a crematorium or a minor shrine.

The design of the concrete structure suggests it served a religious function and was likely built by Buddhists. Referencing old maps of Taichung, some believe it may have been part of the Rongcheng Temple grounds, per UDN.

While the city conducts its investigation, work at the site has been suspended pending a determination by the Cultural Affairs Bureau. If deemed to hold cultural value, the structure may be relocated and designated a historical monument.