Throughout history, tales of underground cities have captivated our imagination. These remarkable structures suggest that ancient civilizations possessed architectural and engineering skills far beyond what we might expect. But why did people go underground? What did they seek to protect themselves from? Are these cities evidence of an ancient survival strategy or a mystery that hints at forgotten knowledge?
The Days of Malkush: A Story of Survival
In the ancient Zoroastrian texts, there is a story of a sudden ice age, known as the “days of Malkush,” which supposedly engulfed the entire world for around three years. Long before this catastrophe, the deity Ahura Mazda, foreseeing the impending disaster, advised humanity to prepare. According to these texts, Ahura Mazda urged humans to create underground shelters to weather the harsh, freezing conditions above. Could there be a grain of truth in this legend?
Curiously, modern science tells us that about 12,000 years ago, Earth experienced a sudden, severe cooling period called the “Younger Dryas.” Lasting around 1,200 years, it brought drastic temperature changes that affected early human societies. Some researchers speculate that this ice age may have inspired stories like the days of Malkush, hinting at a long-lost link between mythology and history.
Derinkuyu: A City Beneath Turkey
One of the most astonishing discoveries in underground archaeology is the ancient city of Derinkuyu, located in present-day Turkey. Hidden 85 meters below the ground, this city was built at least 2,800 years ago and could shelter up to 20,000 people. This complex network spans 18 stories and includes wells, chapels, stables, schools, and everything a community might need to survive underground. Initially discovered in 1963 when a man stumbled upon a hidden tunnel behind a wall in his home, Derinkuyu’s discovery revealed a new layer of ancient ingenuity.
Experts believe that this underground marvel may have been expanded and reused over the centuries, even serving as a refuge during the Middle Ages. Religious artifacts found within suggest it was adapted to meet the needs of later communities. Derinkuyu’s rediscovery challenges our understanding of ancient engineering: how did people who likely lacked iron tools manage such a feat?
A Global Network of Hidden Cities
Derinkuyu is not an isolated case. Across the world, underground networks have emerged, revealing the extent to which ancient peoples harnessed the ground beneath them. In Egypt, the Giza plateau is rumored to contain a vast underground network of tunnels, some natural and others man-made, forming a mysterious labyrinth beneath the pyramids. Similarly, in Guatemala, over 800 kilometers of tunnels stretch below the Mayan city of Tikal, hinting at a complex infrastructure that has yet to be fully explored.
China, too, offers its share of enigmas. In 1992, researchers discovered 24 massive, hand-carved caves that would have required the removal of 36,000 cubic meters of stone. Such projects would challenge modern technology, yet these underground sites date back centuries, with no clear purpose or explanation.
In Europe, thousands of tunnels from the Stone Age have been uncovered, stretching across Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Researchers remain uncertain as to why they were built or what purpose they served, though theories range from religious rituals to trade routes or even wartime hideouts. The scale of these efforts, combined with the precision of construction, defies our assumptions about ancient societies.
Ancient Engineering or Lost Knowledge?
These ancient underground cities challenge us to reconsider what we know about our ancestors. Some theorists propose that ancient people went underground for survival, whether from climate shifts, external threats, or natural disasters. Others suggest these structures were places of religious significance or served as centers of trade and knowledge. But the question remains: how did early civilizations accomplish such remarkable feats without advanced tools?
The similarities between the Zoroastrian legend of the days of Malkush and the Younger Dryas cooling period offer tantalizing clues. Perhaps ancient myths have roots in real events, passed down through generations and altered by time. If so, then these cities may be testaments to human resilience and adaptability, preserved beneath our feet.
While modern archaeology and technology have allowed us to unearth many of these hidden cities, much remains unknown. With each discovery, we come closer to understanding the motivations and capabilities of our ancient ancestors. Were they simply trying to survive, or did they know something we have since forgotten? The past continues to surprise us, and perhaps one day, it will reveal the full truth hidden within these underground cities.
