There are places on the planet that cause genuine surprise to the layman. We are talking about megalithic structures, mysterious pyramids and ruins of ancient cities. Today we will talk about one of them. Derinkuyu city is unusual in that it is located … underground. Why did its inhabitants want to hide from prying eyes and how it was built - we will find out today.
Derinkuyu underground tunnels.
Derinkuyu is located in Turkey in the territory of ancient Cappadocia. There are many underground settlements. Nature itself was favorable for them to arise here. Cities were built in volcanic tuff. It is soft and easy to process. Upon contact with air, such a rock hardens soon.
The ancient settlement was discovered by accident. In 1963, a local resident accidentally stumbled upon an incomprehensible room. Excavation began. Soon, archaeologists realized that they had a whole city in front of them, capable of accommodating 20-30 thousand (!!!) people.
It is believed that only a small part of Derinkuyu has been excavated to date. No more than 15%. It consists of 8 floors. The maximum depth reaches 60 m. It is assumed that there are 4-12 more floors. The area of the city is 2-3 km².
Derinkuyu builders were masters of their craft.
The question of who built the underground city remained open. It is quite possible that more than one nation had a hand in this. The beginning of its settlement can be attributed to the 2nd millennium BC. This could have been done by the famous Hittites or Hutts who lived in this territory even earlier.
The reason for creating Derinkuyu (like many other underground cities) is quite simple. Residents had to hide from enemies during their raids. Such a settlement was very well suited for the task. It is hidden from prying eyes on the surface. Only its inhabitants know about the city. The entrance to it is available only to the elite.
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Enemies could find out about the secret hideout of local residents. However, getting into it was not so easy. The entrance was blocked by a door weighing 450 kg. Interestingly, it could only be opened and closed from the inside using a special lever. But even if the enemy penetrated Derinkuyu, he was instantly lost. There were many tunnels around and it is quite easy to get lost here. As a matter of fact, only its inhabitants could orient themselves well in the city.
Those who built the settlement made sure that its inhabitants could have everything they needed at hand. This is not just a temporary bunker type shelter. It was possible to live here for many years. Some researchers suggest that local residents could only rise to the surface to sow and reap crops. Everything else was at hand: wells, kitchens, bakeries, barns, cellars and even stables. It is assumed that there was also a cemetery here, but archaeologists have not yet managed to get to it.
Local residents of Derinkuyu could store wine in such jugs.
Derinkuyu lived until the tenth century AD. e. At least the latest finds date from this period. Gradually it fell into desolation, until it was finally abandoned by its inhabitants.