Mysterious origin: Unknown builders, possible 11,600-year-old connection. Earliest artifacts date back approximately 3,000 years ago Academics suggest initial construction by Phrygians in 8th century BC (~2,900 years ago) Stone cannot be radiocarbon dated, making exact age unknown
Who built Derinkuyu? Earliest artifacts are ~3,000 years old, but stone can't be radiocarbon dated. Scholars suggest Phrygians in 8th cent. BC. Enormous evidence shows this site was reused by Byzantines, Arab war refugees, Mongols, and Christians fleeing Ottomans over millennia. Origin entirely undocumented—may qualify as prehistoric.
Key Facts
- Earliest artifacts date back approximately 3,000 years ago
- Academics suggest initial construction by Phrygians in 8th century BC (~2,900 years ago)
- Stone cannot be radiocarbon dated, making exact age unknown
- Artifacts found from Middle Byzantine period (~1,600 years ago)
- Artifacts from Arab Byzantine wars (~1,200 years ago)
- Evidence of use during Mongolian incursions (~700 years ago)
- Used by Christians as refuge from Ottoman conquest
- The site was reused many times by different peoples over millennia
- Possible connection to Gobekli Tepe and Younger Dryas climate catastrophe 11,600 years ago
- Potential dumping ground along river contains Paleolithic tools ending 11,600 years ago
- Lower 10 levels (90% of site) are sealed off to public and tourists
Related site: Derinkuyu Underground City — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: The Mind-Blowing Lost Ancient (Deep-Underground) CITY of Derinkuyu by Bright Insight