Ancient Underground City Discovered in Southeastern Turkiye

Archaeologists have uncovered a vast underground city near Midyat, Turkiye, believed to date back to the ninth century BC, Arab News reported yesterday.

The discovery, made during a 2020 excavation of house cellars, revealed over 50 interconnected subterranean rooms spanning 900,000 square meters, potentially making it the largest underground city in the region, if not the world.

Mervan Yavuz, the excavation director, noted that ancient inhabitants sought refuge from climate and conflict in these caves, which may have served as hiding places for Jews and Christians practicing banned religions.

The site features intricate carvings and evidence of continuous occupation, with uses ranging from living spaces to catacombs. As the Midyat municipality plans to open the site to the public, it hopes to attract tourists to this historical treasure nestled beneath the surface.