After knocking down a wall in his house, one man discovered something unimaginable: an underground city dating back thousands of years.
In 1963, a resident of Cappadocia, Turkey was simply renovating his home when he unearthed the city called Derinkuyu after breaking a cave wall. More than 280-feet deep, it had more than 10 stories with ventilation shafts, religious centers, wine presses, storerooms, and stables for animals. The secret city made of stone is also believed to have been home to over 20,000 people.
What's even more remarkable is the 1,000-pound doors, which could only be opened from the inside, hinting that the dwellers were hiding from something.
Other underground cities exist, including South Australia’s Coober Pedy, where people still live below the Earth’s surface today. There’s also this underground town in Pennsylvania that’s been on fire since 1962. But Derinkuyu still marvels historians in a different way.
“Derinkuyu would’ve been a massive undertaking for anyone, even in modern times,” John Brandenburg, an engineer, said on the History channel. “But, in those days, it would’ve been stupendous. Equal to the pyramids (of Egypt).”
Why was this underground city created? While it’s impossible to decipher the year it was built (since stone cannot be carbon dated), several theories listed below have been developed to explain this wonder.
View the photos of Derinkuyu and discover the different ideas. And please SHARE this fascinating place with all your friends who love a good mystery!
In 1963, a man in Cappadocia, Turkey knocked down a wall in his house during renovations and found something very unexpected — an underground city.
The city was more than 280 feet deep and could fit over 20,000 people.
It had more than 10 stories with ventilation shafts, religious centers, wine presses, storerooms, and even stables for animals.
It's "equal to the pyramids," said engineer John Brandenburg, referring to its incredible construction.
Intrigued? Click to the next page to find out why the city's exact age can't be determined!
It's impossible to tell just how old this underground city is because it's made of stone, which cannot be carbon dated.
But why was it made, and who would want to live there?!
There are many theories. Some scholars believe Phrygians built Derinkuyu around 800 B.C. as temporary protection from invasion. Others say warrior people called Hittites constructed it.
Yet ancient astronaut theorists believe followers of the Zoroastrian religion built it after their God, Ahura Mazda (pictured below), warned them of an impending environmental catastrophe.
Click to the next page to find out the single oddest and most haunting feature of the city!
What remains clear, however, is that there was fear of something big.
Because they built 1,000-pound doors!
These doors could only be opened from the inside.
While some questions will never be answered, there's no denying that Derinkuyu is absolutely fascinating.
Please SHARE with all your friends who like mystery and history.
