Ancient City, Derinkuyu

The ancient city, Derinkuyu, lay abandoned for decades until, in the 1960s, a local man noticed his chickens were disappearing through a gap in his basement that had opened up during renovations, the BBC reported. After knocking down a wall, he found a tunnel — and accidentally rediscovered the sprawling, subterranean city.

Derinkuyu is an ancient underground city located in the Cappadocia region of central Turkey. It is one of several subterranean complexes in the area and is notable for its depth and architectural complexity. Here are some key features and information about Derinkuyu:

1. **Purpose and Construction:** Derinkuyu was built as an underground city, likely for defensive purposes. It provided shelter to the local population during times of invasions and served as a place of refuge from external threats. The city was constructed during the Byzantine era, possibly in the 7th to 8th centuries AD.

2. **Size and Depth:** Derinkuyu is one of the largest underground cities in Cappadocia, extending approximately 60 meters (200 feet) below the surface. It consists of multiple levels, with some estimates suggesting it could have housed up to 20,000 people, along with livestock and food storage.

3. **Architectural Features:** The city's architecture includes narrow tunnels, staircases, ventilation shafts, and rooms carved into the soft volcanic rock. The tunnels connect various chambers used for different purposes, such as living quarters, kitchens, stables, and religious spaces. The city is organized into levels, each serving specific functions.

4. **Ingenious Design:** Derinkuyu's design showcases advanced engineering for its time. It includes a complex network of passages that could be sealed off with large stone doors to prevent intruders from entering. The ventilation system was designed to provide fresh air to the lower levels, and wells ensured a water supply.

5. **Connection to Other Underground Cities:** Derinkuyu is part of a network of underground cities in Cappadocia, which also includes Kaymaklı, Özkonak, and others. These cities are interconnected through tunnels, allowing people to move between them, possibly providing a means of escape during times of danger.

6. **Rediscovery:** Derinkuyu was rediscovered in 1963 when a local resident found a hidden room behind a wall in his home. This discovery led to further exploration and the revelation of the extensive underground city. Archaeologists have since been studying and excavating the site.

7. **Tourist Attraction:** Today, Derinkuyu is open to the public as a tourist attraction. Visitors can explore several levels of the underground city, gaining insights into the daily life and defensive strategies of the people who once inhabited it.

Derinkuyu, along with other underground cities in Cappadocia, stands as a testament to the resourcefulness and adaptability of ancient communities in the face of external threats. The region's unique geological features, including soft volcanic rock, facilitated the creation of these remarkable underground structures.