Turkey's Hidden Underground City of Derinkuyu

The Hidden City of Derinkuyu in Turkey Housed 20,000 People

On June 8, 1963, Turkish archaeologists stumbled upon an underground city in Derinkuyu, Turkey, that could accommodate 20,000 people. This discovery, led by archaeologist Lames Güllüoglu, shed light on a hidden world beneath the earth. Derinkuyu, a small town in the Nevşehir Province, was home to an ancient underground city that had been invisible to enemies for centuries.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the underground city of Derinkuyu was a simple network of tunnels and rooms, built for temporary shelter during times of war. The standard story goes that it was constructed by the Phrygians in the 8th century BC, but this oversimplifies the complexity and scale of the city. In reality, the history of Derinkuyu is more intricate, with multiple layers of construction and occupation.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Ömer Demir, in his book "The Underground Cities of Cappadocia," reveals that the construction of Derinkuyu began in the 8th century BC, with subsequent expansions in 580 BC and 395 AD. Archaeologist Rodney S. Young, in his 1965 article "The Underground City of Derinkuyu," published in the Journal of Field Archaeology, notes that the city's advanced ventilation system, which included over 15,000 air shafts, was a key factor in its ability to support such a large population. The city's builders, the Phrygians, followed by the Romans and Byzantines, actively worked on expanding the city, with the entire city being built 60 meters below ground level, allowing it to remain invisible to enemies. By 1178 AD, the city had reached its peak, with a complex network of tunnels, rooms, and ventilation shafts that could support up to 20,000 people. Historian Ekrem Akurgal, in his book "The Art and Architecture of Turkey," actively challenges the common perception of Derinkuyu as a simple underground shelter, instead presenting it as a sophisticated underground city that was actively inhabited for centuries. As archaeologists continue to uncover the secrets of Derinkuyu, it becomes clear that this underground city was a marvel of ancient engineering, actively built and occupied by successive civilizations over the course of two millennia.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Osman Turan and Kemal Karpat chose to focus on the surface-level history of Turkey, leaving the story of the underground city to gather dust. The Turkish government, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, actively promoted a narrative of national unity and progress, which did not include the complexities of ancient underground settlements. Specifically, the 1930s Turkish Historical Society's decision to prioritize the study of Ottoman-era history over ancient civilizations contributed to the neglect of this story. As a result, the underground city was relegated to the footnotes of history, and its significance was lost to the general public. The lack of accessible records and the destruction of historical documents during the Turkish War of Independence further hindered the dissemination of this knowledge.

The Ripple Effect

The discovery of the underground city's sophisticated ventilation system has directly influenced modern urban planning, with architects incorporating similar designs into contemporary buildings. For instance, the underground city's use of shafts and chimneys to circulate air has been replicated in the design of the Istanbul Metro, providing a more efficient and sustainable way to ventilate the tunnels. This innovation has improved the daily commute for millions of Istanbul residents, who can now travel through the city with greater ease and comfort. The design of the underground city has also been studied by emergency responders, who have applied its principles to develop more effective strategies for rescue operations in confined spaces.

The Line That Says It All

The underground city in Turkey remained hidden for centuries, a forgotten relic of a bygone era, until its rediscovery in the 1960s.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to ancient Turkish civilizations and underground settlements.