Lost Underground Turkish city found.

 A Turkish homeowner chasing his chickens through a hole in his basement during renovations came across an abandoned underground Turkish city that once housed 20,000 people.

Excavation work uncovered an incredible marvel of engineering, a network of tunnels and shelters 18 levels deep that went down 280ft (85 metres). This enormous underground city is thought to have begun life as a system of caves built back 1200 BC by the Hittites to shelter from the Phrygians, who then in turn further excavated the area and expanded the living space when they conquered the region.

In later centuries it appears as though Christian inhabitants of the Roman Empire expanded the cave systems by adding more layers and including chapels, stables and places to make wine and olive oil.

The underground city of Derinkuyu was a safe haven for the people living in the region on many occasions, with a long string of conquerors and occupiers marching through that part of the world.

Beneath the layers of mystery and history, Derinkuyu holds another intriguing secret. While it was used as a refuge for the people of its time, this underground city also served as a strategic fortress in times of turmoil. Its clever architectural features included massive stone doors that could only be opened from the inside, making it nearly impregnable to invaders. These hidden subterranean passages were far more than just shelters; they were a testament to human ingenuity in the face of danger.

Furthermore, Derinkuyu's extensive tunnel system wasn't just a single entity. The city was part of a vast network of underground dwellings. It's believed that over 200 similar underground cities have been discovered in the region. These interconnected subterranean marvels would have allowed for safe movement between different locations during times of conflict, serving as a sophisticated and clandestine meansof defense.