May 2nd, 2019: Derinkuyu, Turkey

[xoxoxoBruce]

In lots of hot dry places the residents have excavated homes underground, Sassi di Matera, Italy; Coober Pedy, Australia;
Brhlovce, Slovakia; and Hobbits in the Shire. This is more like an underground apartment building.

In 1963, an inhabitant of Derinkuyu (in the region of Cappadocia, central Anatolia, Turkey), knocking down a wall of his house cave, discovered amazed that behind it was a mysterious room that he had never seen, and this led him room to another and another and another to it ... By chance he had discovered the underground city of Derinkuyu, whose first level could be excavated by the Hittites around 1400 BC.

Archaeologists began to explore this fascinating underground city abandoned. It managed to forty meters deep, but is believed to have a fund of up to 85 meters. At present 20 levels have been discovered underground. Only eight can be visited at the highest levels; others are partially blocked or restricted to archaeologists and anthropologists who study Derinkuyu.

The city was used as a refuge for thousands of people living in the basement for protection from the frequent invasions suffered Cappadocia, at various times of their occupation, and by the early Christians.

The city benefited from the existence of an underground river, water wells and had a wonderful ventilation system (52 wells have been discovered vents) that amazes engineers today.

Scary place to be during one of Turkey's many earthquakes.

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[Gravdigr]

Those quoted sections were fun to read.

[glatt]

Thank you Bruce! I had never heard of this place. Can you imagine discovering that during a home renovation?

[Diaphone Jim]

"...others are partially blocked or restricted to archaeologists and anthropologists who study Derinkuyu."
Including at least one by giant genitalia.

I agree with Grav. I had to re-read about half of the quotes.