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An exceptional discovery has just been made in Turkey. Archaeologists have indeed unearthed an ancient underground city, which may have sheltered the first populations of Christians fleeing persecution. More than 70,000 people could have lived in this huge complex, which would make it the largest ever discovered.

A huge complex

The city of Midyat, in the very touristy province of Mardin, in Turkey, now vibrates to the sound of pickaxes. And for good reason: archaeologists have discovered a huge underground city there, probably dating back more than 2,000 years. It all started two years ago, when the city, very popular with tourists, decided to clean up the historic district. Work that led to this discovery, as exceptional as it was unexpected.

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Archaeologists first discovered a cave, then a 100 meter long tunnel. “Thanks to this one, we managed to find a passage to different places”explains Gani Tarkan, the head of the excavations, on Turkish television. “These places include 49 rooms, some of which are supposed to be places of worship, such as a church or a synagogue”he continues.

A veritable underground city, therefore, which could have accommodated up to 70,000 people, a colossal figure by the standards of the time. Archaeologists even claim that it could be “the largest in the world”. According to the researchers, who base themselves on the artifacts discovered for the moment, as well as the murals, this immense complex would have been built in the 2nd or 3rd century, that is to say during the Roman Empire. A date that says a lot about the supposed history of this secret city.

A place of refuge for the first Christians?

This underground city is supposed to have housed the first Christian communities, seeking to flee persecution. In the early days of Christianity, the Romans did not differentiate between Jews and Christians. Indeed, many Christians at the time were also Jews. The persecutions really begin in 64, when the Emperor Nero accuses the Christians of being responsible for the great fire of Rome, which destroyed a good part of the city.

Reasons which can explain the existence of these secret cities, the Christians risking, outside, to be killed or obliged to abjure their faith. The persecutions will continue until 313 with the Edict of Milan, issued by Emperor Constantine, an edict of tolerance making Christianity legal. Finally, Emperor Theodosius, with the edict of Thessalonica in 380, made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

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Places left to explore

There is no doubt that this underground city has not revealed all its secrets to us. Indeed, according to archaeologists, only 3% of the city has been excavated so far. We can therefore imagine that other revelations will be made, which will teach us a little more about the history of this place and the first Christians.

This underground city was nicknamed “Matiate”, in homage to the ancient Assyrian name of Midyat. While the city and the region of Mardin already see many tourists flocking each year, this discovery could bring them even more.

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