This is the incredible story about how one homeowner discovered an ancient lost city that had remained unseen for years - all while trying to find his chickens in his basement.
A tunnel leading down to the underground city of Derinkuyu. Credit: REDA&CO / Getty
When one homeowner in the Nevsehir province, near the Turkish city of Cappadocia, began renovating his house in 1963, he was in for a surprise that went way beyond the typical DIY hurdles. Instead of finding some dusty old books or moth-eaten Christmas decorations, he stumbled upon the gateway to an ancient underground city, as reported by History Daily.
The homeowner discovered a secret chamber after demolishing a wall in his basement - eager to see where his lost chickens had disappeared to. Initially unbeknownst to him, he had accidentally uncovered the entrance to the long-lost city of Derinkuyu.
It was the first of more than 600 entrances found within private homes leading to the underground city.
According to the BBC, the homeowner’s investigation was sparked by a peculiar event: his chickens kept disappearing down a crevice. Driven by frustration, he went to find where his poultry was escaping to and was stunned to uncover that they were venturing deep underground.
Named Elengubu in ancient times, Derinkuyu extends more than 85 meters (280 feet) below the surface and is made up of 18 levels of tunnels. Following the discovery, it is now recognized as the world's largest excavated underground city.
History Daily reveals that Derinkuyu was home to many over the years, with its ownership often shifting. The Persians, Phrygians, and the Byzantine-era Christians all claimed the city at different points in time. Xenophon of Athens made the earliest known written mention of the city all the way back in 370 BCE.
BBC reports that, at one time, an estimated 20,000 lived in the city.
Credit: RalucaHotupan / Getty
The underground city was abandoned in the 1920s by the Cappadocian Greeks, following their defeat in the Greco-Turkish war and subsequent migration to the Greek mainland.
The uncovering of Derinkuyu revealed a fascinating assortment of underground structures, including homes, cattle stables, schools, wineries, chapels, and food storage areas. In recognition of its historical significance, Derinkuyu was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
Historians speculate that the subterranean dwellings provided sanctuary during times of conflict, providing a secure haven against enemy invasions.
There are several entrances into the underground city, but many are obscured with a variety of objects. Credit: David Clapp / Getty
As reported by History Daily, over 100 secret entrances, mirroring the one unveiled during the renovation, were subsequently discovered, cleverly hidden in plain sight.
For those interested in witnessing this wonder first-hand, underground tours are now available at Derinkuyu, offering visitors a glimpse into a fully functioning ancient underground city.
These surprising discoveries are not confined to Turkey alone. In Edinburgh, renovation projects often expose entrances to the city's famed Vaults, a subterranean network lying beneath the modern city streets.
But this doesn't mean you should start tearing down your walls hoping for a similar discovery!