Monuments of architecture and creators of the transcendence - Doomsday Structures (Part 9) - Cities of the Underworld.

(Images from: journeyera.com and dailymail.co.uk)

If we look at a projected doomsday event, that may incur from human folly or the impassivness of nature to humanity, whatever the dynamic  of a cataclysmic forecast, one has to be carefully in understanding  that there is no necessity to usher on the end of civilization.  Nations, although they can portray a pattern of political discourse, wars and social unrest, the core aspect of human biology is to survive.  And this is why there is an optimism within the human condition, that is shown in an ability to adjust and also create structures to maintain a presence within what maybe seen as a cruel exsistance, that at times, from the natural world - in its unjust disposition.  However, it doesn't mean that we reflect an unconscious indifference back towards nature nor should we presume it holds a fixture of calamity against our existence.  The internal conflict the human mind has in trying to understand its relevance within the vast cosmos, is solely a human dilemma and we suffer for it.   This lack of clarity of what we inherently are as a  conscious being, creates a dualism that is held both within the mindset - of a weakness and strength; which at times makes us cower in fear, whilst searching for a scapegoat to justify these misaligned venerations.  On the other hand we portray a strength that is unrivaled its its purpose, to challenge and overcome the odds, to alter and improve our chances of survival.  As we continue on with this study of Doomsday Structures, the attention is turned downward, into the Earth, not as bunkers or reinforced missile silos.  But as a cities, built as an inversion, to be buried deep into the ground.   The ultimate protection against turmoil that we know above the surface. 

There is a unique geographic region of Turkey called Cappadocia, in 1963, within the province of Nevşehir, a man was expanding his basement area of his house, upon knocking down an adjacent wall he discovered another room, vastly older in its build and design.  This secret room connected to the basement of his house, was actually the entrance to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th Century. The hidden, underground city of Derinkuyu. What this man had found beneath his house, was a thousand year old labyrinth, extremely well designed and structured city complex. 18 levels beneth the ground, to which only 8 are accessible today, the whole city structure has been caved out of 1000 meter high volcanic plateau which lies within the Cappadocia region.  Created in the period of 780-1180AD, this impressive underground city could hold up to 20,000 inhabitants from the communities above ground, which also included their livestock and vast food supplies, to this day as a historic landmark, it is unsure who constructed an elaborate underground world.  Although it is most likely the Phygians of the 7th Century who began construction on this massively deep complex.  Known for there engineering and architectural know-how, particularly for carving out underground living areas that included ventilation and irrigation channels.  The question is; to what purpose was this city created?  And of course the obvious answer is protection.  Yet, it is still unclear whether Derinkuyu was created by another ancient society, the Hitties.  Regardless of the original creators.  These reinforced caverns, which can be sealed shut via larger circular stone boulders, extends deep within the volcanic rock formation, is huge in its design.  This massive structure was built exclusively to enclose a populus from danger, what maybe was perceived as an oncoming cataclysmic event.  Either from Wars, invasions or a natural disaster.  

The deep and large caverns had living quarters, kitchens, food strorage areas and places of worship.  The interior walls shows variants of a Greek language, it was also used for the local Greek Christian community of Cappadocia which also used these underground areas as a protection from Ottoman Muslims in the early 1900s.

From ancient structures to idealist concepts, as the great English poet John Milton wrote in his fable "Paradise Lost", when the fallen angel Lucifer, was cast into hell.  The decree spoken, as a  beacon of defiance, is that maybe it is better to "reign" below than submit to the predicaments above.  These are the:  Cities of the Underworld.