In 1963, a man renovating his house in Cappadocia knocked down a wall in his basement, only to reveal a hidden entrance leading to a sprawling subterranean world.
Derinkuyu, which covers 172 square miles and extends 18 levels deep, once housed up to 60,000 people. The city was a marvel of ancient engineering, with spaces for chapels, schools, stables, and even facilities for producing wine and olive oil. One of its most impressive features was an advanced ventilation system that kept fresh air circulating throughout the entire underground network.
But why would so many people choose to live underground? Experts believe Derinkuyu was built as a refuge from invasion. Cappadocia, located at the crossroads of ancient civilizations, was frequently under attack.
Building a city underground allowed its residents to remain hidden and protected during times of war. This wasn’t a unique practice either—other underground cities, such as Kaymakli in Turkey and the Naours tunnels in France, suggest that many ancient civilizations turned to subterranean living as a last line of defense. Even in distant Beijing, China, entire underground complexes were constructed as emergency shelters.
The design of Derinkuyu shows just how serious these ancient people were about their safety. Narrow tunnels connected different levels, with huge stone doors that could be rolled into place to block off sections of the city in case of an attack. The city wasn’t just a temporary hideout—it was built for long-term survival.
Its residents had access to fresh water from wells, food storage areas, and places for communal cooking. They likely used oil lamps to light their way, burning animal fat or olive oil. And while underground, they benefitted from the earth’s natural insulation, which kept the temperature stable and comfortable no matter what was happening above ground.
What drove so many ancient people to go underground? Whether it was fear of invasion, natural disasters, or something else, these cities reflect a profound sense of urgency and survival. Derinkuyu and similar underground cities raise tantalizing questions about how ancient societies coped with threats that we can only speculate about today.
It makes you wonder how many other hidden cities are waiting to be discovered beneath the earth’s surface, offering further clues about the lives of our ancestors
