Matiate

Matiate is an archaeological site underneath the town of Midyat, in Mardin province, Turkey. It is assumed to have been in use for 1900 years, at its peak to have been inhabited by up to 70'000 people and is considered to be the largest cave system in the world.

Discovery

The tunnel system was discovered by chance in 2020 during renovation works in Midyats old town[1] during which a cave was unearthed which lead to a tunnel to other caves.[2] Following large excavation works begun and by 2022[2] forty-nine rooms were made visible.[3] The underground city was called Matiate meaning "city of caves".[4][3]

Extension

The towns origins date back to the 2nd or 3rd century CE and at its peak it is believed to have been inhabited by between 60'000 and 70'000 people.[2] For now onehundred meters of tunnels and forty nine rooms have been unearthed. In the underground city a web of tunnels containing forty-nine rooms was made visible, but it is assumed that only 3% of the city have been discovered.[3] According the director of excavations of Matiate Gani Tarkan, excavation works will extend to the whole district of Midyat.[2]

Function

Gani Tarkan, the director of excavations of Matiate assumes the cave system to have been used as a hiding place for persecuted people.[2] During the Roman era, the Christian religion was persecuted and its adherents are known to have lived in similar underground cities throughout Anatolia.[2] In the cave system there existed water wells, places of worship and silos.[2]

References

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