SUBTERREANEAN SETTLEMENTS OF CAPPADOCIA

SUBTERREANEAN SETTLEMENTS OF CAPPADOCIA

One of the cultural highlights of the Cappadocia region is the abudance of subterranean settlements, commonly referred to as ”underground cities ‘. Because the region was subjected to frequent raids, these cities were built to provide temporary shelter during times of danger.
Carved out of the soft tufa rock within a 25000-square-km region the underground citties were connected to houses by hidden passsages. To provide greater protection the people laid traps in various places within the rock dwellings and strategically fashioned the entryways in hard-to-reach locations. When they were needed new rooms were hollowes out under the floors of the existing rooms increasing the size of the underground settlements.
There are 150 to 200 known underground and cliff settlements of varying sizes in the Cappadocia region, it is possible that not all have been discovered. A few underground cities were large enough to accommodate 30000 people while other settlements could more accurately be described as ” undergroung villages” .

Structural Faetures
Long passages and labyrinth-like tunnels connect hundreds of rooms in the underground cities. Small hollows carved on the wall surfaces of the corridors and rooms served as holders for candles and linseed oil lamps,providing both light and heat. That no oil presses  have been found inside any underground settlement assumes the linseed oil was made elsewhere. The long, low, narrow corridors restricted enemy mobility.
Millstones seperating one area of an underground settlement from another provided extra defense. These millstones, which can be moved only from the inside,  are 1-1,5m in height, 30-50 cm in width and 200-500 kg in weight. Holes bored in the milstones’ centers were used to open and close the passageways, visually track enemies and to allow one to attack with arrows and spears from behind the closed passage. Wooden doors within the settlements were used mainly for privacy and were secured by only two or three bolts. The Özkonak Underground Settlement uniquely had small vertical holes above the tunnels, next to the millstone which allowed  defenders to spear or pour hot oil on their enemies. Narrow tunnels were also set with traps, holes 2-3m in depth, designed to  capture the enemy.
The ground level of the underground settlements was usually used as stables. Parts of the stable walls were hollowed out to store  fodder for the animals. Holes for tying the animals were also carved into the rock.
Warm in both summer and in winter, the kitchens and the wineries are generally found on the upper levels of the underground settlements. The wineries, fueled by locally grown product, were built on the upper floors so that the grapes could be transported easily. The large number of kitchens clearly indicates that the kitchens were communal areas.
Special ovens called ”tandır” are found in many of these kitchens.  This type of oven is still in use in the small towns and villages of Cappadocia. Large earthenware jars used for storing barley, wheat, corn, and various vegetables as well as beer and wine are also found in the underground kitchens.
Communication holes ne bigger than 10-15 cm in diameter are found on the floors and the ceilings of the rooms between the various levels. Using these holes, inhabitants communicated with those on another level without having to walk through the long tunnels. The holes helped alert underground residents of danger, so they could take  defense precautions easily and quickly. How they handled toilet needs is still unknown.  Toilets are found in only two of the underground settlements, Tatlarin and Güzelyurt ( Gelveri ).
Ventilation and communication shafts generally reach the lowest level of each underground settlements. These shafts were also used as wells. Some of the wells did not have acces at the ground level, which prevented the enemy from poisoning the water supply. Some researches claim that the underground settlements were connected to each other with tunnels but so far there is no canclusive evidence to support this idea.