So there you are, minding your own business, perhaps trying to find a little extra storage space for that collection of ceramic gnome figurines you’ve been amassing since the ’90s. But instead, you accidentally stumble upon an ancient underground city. You know, just your typical day in Turkey!
Related reading: The Accidental Archaeologist
In 1963, a man in Turkey did just that when he knocked down a wall in his basement and uncovered Derinkuyu, an impressive 18-story underground city that was once capable of sheltering around 20,000 people during invasions. Now, if that isn’t the ultimate home renovation surprise, I don’t know what is!
Imagine the conversation at the dinner table that night: “Honey, I found a new room for the gnomes… and a whole city where people lived, worked, and hid from invasions! Just your everyday basement find, right?” Talk about a conversation starter! Forget about that framed poster of a cat playing the piano; you’ve got an entire ancient civilization lurking beneath your floorboards.
Derinkuyu isn’t just any old basement, though. This sprawling underground metropolis includes everything from living quarters, kitchens, and chapels to ventilation shafts (thank goodness for modern plumbing, am I right?). It’s like the ancient version of the ultimate survival bunker, minus the doomsday prepper kits and fancy Netflix subscriptions.
What’s even more fascinating is the ingenuity that went into building such a place. The city was carved from soft volcanic rock, known as tuff, which made it relatively easy to excavate. But let’s be honest, the ancient folks who built this place had some serious skills. They created complex systems of tunnels and chambers, complete with rolling stone doors that could be closed to keep out unwanted guests (or nosy neighbors). I can just imagine the ancient Turkish equivalent of a homeowner’s association meeting: “We need a wall, and let’s make it a rolling stone door, just in case the Romans drop by unannounced.”
Now, this underground marvel isn’t just a relic of the past; it also raises some intriguing questions about how ancient civilizations lived and prepared for threats. What was life like in an underground city? Did they have basement parties? Was there an ancient equivalent of a basement bar? I mean, if I were stuck underground, I’d definitely need a drink or two to cope with the lack of sunlight!
Fast forward to today, and Derinkuyu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting tourists and history buffs alike. People from all over the globe come to marvel at the sheer scale of this subterranean wonder. And really, who wouldn’t want to explore a city that’s literally underground? It’s like a real-life version of a video game level!
So, the next time you think about knocking down a wall in your basement, maybe reconsider. Who knows what hidden treasures—or ancient cities—you might uncover? Just remember, if you find a secret passage that leads to an old troll, it’s probably best to leave him alone. After all, you never know when you might need to escape from the modern world… or those gnome figurines!
Inspired by: “In 1963, a man in Turkey knocked down a wall in his basement and accidentally discovered Derinkuyu—…” (r/interestingasfuck)