Huge New 5,000 Year Old Underground City Excavated in Cappadocia
Dec 28th, 2014, 02:07 AM
#1
Huge New 5,000 Year Old Underground City Excavated in Cappadocia
Cappadocia region of Turkey, situated in the midle of the Anatolian Peninsula is an area of wonders both above and below ground.
It has ruins and structures dating back to late stone age. Caves which are still inhabited,, underground cities which are not inhabited noww, lush canyons with structures on the walls, early Christianity edifices, fairy chimneys, hikes, treks, photographic opportunities galore.
The region is served by two airports and three or more airlines. There are some excellent boutique hotels, some with cave rooms and suites as well as major chain hotels and simple B&Bs. Car and scooter rentals as well as horseback riding are easily available. Ballon rides over the spectacular landscape at sunrise are very popular.
The major city in the region is Nevsehir, the smaller towns in the midst of the sights are Goreme and Uchisar. There are also villages which offer lodging.
The new underground city was discovered below Nevsehir Fortress and surrounding area as a large urban renewal project was begun in 2013. Some significant artifacts and Seven kilometers (over four miles) of tunnels have been discovered so far.
Apparently all this was kept rather secret until recently. The current newspaper article and photographs are the only ones I could google at short notice although a more extensive search may provide more information. Unfortunately, the article is in Turkish but you have the gist above.
http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/27853758.asp
If you find that interesting, here are links to other interesting new finds,
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/man...&NewsCatID=375
including underground structures at the ancient Armenian city, Ani :
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ani...&NewsCatID=375
and an earthquake destroyed Roman city close to Pamukkale, Hieropolis and Aphrodisias :
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/hug...&NewsCatID=375
I hope you enjoy the news and the pictures and will get a chance to visit one of these days.
It has ruins and structures dating back to late stone age. Caves which are still inhabited,, underground cities which are not inhabited noww, lush canyons with structures on the walls, early Christianity edifices, fairy chimneys, hikes, treks, photographic opportunities galore.
The region is served by two airports and three or more airlines. There are some excellent boutique hotels, some with cave rooms and suites as well as major chain hotels and simple B&Bs. Car and scooter rentals as well as horseback riding are easily available. Ballon rides over the spectacular landscape at sunrise are very popular.
The major city in the region is Nevsehir, the smaller towns in the midst of the sights are Goreme and Uchisar. There are also villages which offer lodging.
The new underground city was discovered below Nevsehir Fortress and surrounding area as a large urban renewal project was begun in 2013. Some significant artifacts and Seven kilometers (over four miles) of tunnels have been discovered so far.
Apparently all this was kept rather secret until recently. The current newspaper article and photographs are the only ones I could google at short notice although a more extensive search may provide more information. Unfortunately, the article is in Turkish but you have the gist above.
http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/27853758.asp
If you find that interesting, here are links to other interesting new finds,
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/man...&NewsCatID=375
including underground structures at the ancient Armenian city, Ani :
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ani...&NewsCatID=375
and an earthquake destroyed Roman city close to Pamukkale, Hieropolis and Aphrodisias :
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/hug...&NewsCatID=375
I hope you enjoy the news and the pictures and will get a chance to visit one of these days.
Dec 29th, 2014, 01:25 AM
#6
I am glad that the owner of the house who discovered the lower levels and the construction crew who found the underground city were not Buffy buffs.
Can you imagine the amount of time spent in searching for evil creatures, exorcism, spiritual cleansing and warding that would have been needed before anything else could have been done. -
Fortunately Anatolian superstition does not include vampires, zombies, or other evil creatures which may dwell under the ground. The locals are more concerned with aetherial evil, genies, otherworldly evil spirits, evil eye, hexes, black magic, curses and similar. This is possibly because the land has always belonged to Kybele the Earth Mother in different names and always provided nourishment and livelihood as well as haven.
Anatolia has suffered much more from human evil in the form of wars, raids, pillaging, murder, rape, looting, thieving, slavery, having been attacked not only by barbaric tribes from the East and North but also by religious fanatics from the West and the South and definitely by greedy neighbours from all directions.
So, the geology of Cappadocia, allowing easy and structurally safe carving of the rock made it possible for the inhabitants to seek safety under the ground in many cases and at different times in history.
The underground cities are nteresting but definitely not recommended for the even slightly claustrophobic.
Another warning to those over 5'6" suffering from spine or neck problems because the tunnels require walking bent down in places.
Here is a link to one of my former reports to another interesting area in case some of you have not had a chance to read it :
http://otherchelebistravels.blogspot...1_archive.html
Can you imagine the amount of time spent in searching for evil creatures, exorcism, spiritual cleansing and warding that would have been needed before anything else could have been done. -
Fortunately Anatolian superstition does not include vampires, zombies, or other evil creatures which may dwell under the ground. The locals are more concerned with aetherial evil, genies, otherworldly evil spirits, evil eye, hexes, black magic, curses and similar. This is possibly because the land has always belonged to Kybele the Earth Mother in different names and always provided nourishment and livelihood as well as haven.
Anatolia has suffered much more from human evil in the form of wars, raids, pillaging, murder, rape, looting, thieving, slavery, having been attacked not only by barbaric tribes from the East and North but also by religious fanatics from the West and the South and definitely by greedy neighbours from all directions.
So, the geology of Cappadocia, allowing easy and structurally safe carving of the rock made it possible for the inhabitants to seek safety under the ground in many cases and at different times in history.
The underground cities are nteresting but definitely not recommended for the even slightly claustrophobic.
Another warning to those over 5'6" suffering from spine or neck problems because the tunnels require walking bent down in places.
Here is a link to one of my former reports to another interesting area in case some of you have not had a chance to read it :
http://otherchelebistravels.blogspot...1_archive.html
