Great Ancient Underground Cities Around the World

In 1956 I was the Associated Press photojournalist based on the tiny Island of Malta. Part of my work entailed the photographing all the many artifacts that resided in the churches and historic buildings following the departure of the knights in the 1797.

Shortly after I began this herculean task I was approached by Dr. David Trump, Cambridge University's resident archaeologist on the island to assist with the recording of the artifacts and excavations being undertaken by the Missionary Society of St. Paul at St. Agatha's under the direction of Fr. Victor Camilleri at the pre Christian catacombs at St. Paul's and St. Agatha's in the ancient city of Rabat.

For a number of years I joined them both as on our bellies we removed the rubble that filled these ancient chambers over the centuries before returning with Dr. David Trump and taking up residency in Cambridge in 1960.

It was the impact of these amazing catacombs that would eventually lead me to achieving my Doctorate in Art and Archaeology.

Though more accurately described as hypogea than underground cities '" these were home to the dead. In fact at the World Heritage site "The Hypogeum", it is estimated that the remains of over 7000 people were discovered along with their personal ornaments, pottery and figurines.
If you ever have a chance to visit Malta, make a point of visiting St. Agatha's Catacombs with their amazing frescos '" some of the best in the world.

Several thousand miles away there is a strangely similar configuration of underground dwellings '" this time however believed to have been used by the living. I speak of the Ancient underground cities of Turkey!

Cappadocia is a subterranean city discovered in 1964 in eastern Turkey. Early Christians tunneled into the lunar like landscape of hardened lava creating living areas and chapels.

There are estimated to be over 40 such underground cities in the area. Archaeologists believe that the reason these vast underground complexes were built was to escape the extreme cold and stifling hot temperatures above ground . The temperature underground remained at a constant 8 degrees Celsius. (About 50degrees Fahrenheit)

It is believed that at the height of the period the underground cities could have housed over 20,000 population.

Some claim that these cities were constructed to escape alien invaders. Others claimed that the locals at the time were hiding from Muslim attacks. As primitive as these city builders might have been they surly would have realized that to hide in such a place would have enabled their attackers to trap them below '" without food and water and leave them to die like rats.

There is geological evidence that the region was experiencing a '˜mini-ice age' which is said to have lasted over 500 years in the middle of the ninth millennium B.C. It is far more logical to assume that this reason alone would have driven the dwellers underground.

In examining the layout of this remarkable subterranean complex I was struck with the similarity between its design and that of the St Agatha's catacombs that I had personally worked in during its excavation in the mid 50's.

So much to explore '" so little time.
Enjoy '" Dr. Peter J. Shield PhD (http://worldofunexplainedmysteries.com)