The underground cities of the Byzantine Empire - Veronica Kalas

Uncover the history of the ancient underground cities beneath Cappadocia, which were built during the Byzantine Empire.
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The breathtaking geological formations of Cappadocia are one of the most astonishing landscapes on Earth. Also known as “fairy chimneys,” this impressive terrain hides an equally remarkable feat of pre-modern engineering: a network of extensive underground cities stretching deep below the surface. Who inhabited these cities, and why? Veronica Kalas uncovers the secrets of this buried history.
Lesson by Veronica Kalas, directed by Serin İnan, Tolga Yıldız, Kozmonot Animation Studio.
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Keep Learning
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View full lesson: ed.ted.com/lessons/the-underg...
Dig deeper with additional resources: ed.ted.com/lessons/the-underg...
Animator's website: www.kozmonot.tv
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[@euricequeen842]

Perfect. Before i fall asleep i will learn something today

[@hansgunnoo5159]

Their timing is impeccable

[@dankshadow5665]

Once again TED-Ed never misses with their amazing animation

[@Lifesage1]

Agreed! This is in the same vein as one of the more recent art and design movements called “Memphis”

[@benjaminTolis]

What a beautiful place these Greeks created, wonderful architecture indeed!

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@melihkaya1461]

They were not greeks they were assyrians

[@Moon-li9ki]

you speak of the byzantines, I will be there to listen :p

[@TheArtsyAviary.]

Byzantines Byzantines Byzantines

[@douglaswilkinson5700]

​@@TheArtsyAviary.We call them Byzantines. They were Romans and Constantinople was the capital in the east.

[@nebyeelda5862]

​@@douglaswilkinson5700they spoke Greek and lived in Greek. They probably are Greek.

[@TheArtsyAviary.]

@@douglaswilkinson5700 thanks for the fact! I need more Byzantines Byzantines Byzantines

[@charliefarmer4365]

@@nebyeelda5862 -Romans could come from anywhere in the empire. Britannia, Greece, Egypt, etc. If they had citizenship, they were considered Roman. -The ‘Byzantine’ Empire was made by Romans as a Roman Government. -The name ‘Byzantine’ wasn’t used until the 1500s, when a German Historian decided he wanted to make West Europe seem better.

[@athinghere]

The moles are taking notes

[@cocacola4blood365]

So are the Fremen and Vault Tech.

[@In2legos]

I went to Turkey with my wife on our honeymoon. We saw these in Cappadocia!! They are even more interesting and beautiful than described.

[@olbiomoiros]

fun fact: they were inhabited until 1922 by Cappadocian Greeks

[@zekeanimatedvideos11132]

SAME!

[@SterlingWhitehead]

We went inside all these a few years ago. Really incredible.

[@dimaaram2171]

samw! it is amazing.

[@user-xe8zw9ru7i]

What a shame, now it became Sth the enemy of Byzantine can show off and earn money from.

[@derkaiser420]

I like how Ted Ed tells these history stories that most people don't know about. This is why the area was so hard to conquer for the Arab invaders because people would just disappear then reappear. It is pretty crazy what humans can do.

[@Shinzon23]

Well they would disappear and then they would come out to poke people with Spears and other pointy objects if they tried to follow

[@histguy101]

​@@Shinzon23civilians would hide while the provincial armies would tail the Arabs, then once the Arab army was laden with loot and captives and heading back, the Byzantine army would ambush them

[@errorite6653]

arabs ≠ turks lmao

[@histguy101]

@@errorite6653 Turks began invading Cappadocia in the late 11th century, and they succeeded in conquering it. Arabs began invading in the seventh century, when these underground cities were built, and raided the area regularly for 2-3 centuries

[@ProcyonNite]

@@errorite6653 They didn't say arabs = turks...

[@eliplayz22]

I've always been fascinated by underground cities. They are both cool and sustainable. I even build houses in cliffs if not explicitly underground in Minecraft

[@akirebara]

If you get the chance, definitely visit Kapadokya and do one of the tours for these underground cities in Goreme. There are still sooo many they havent discovered. Also, many hotels/hostels are the "cave hotels" with modern plumbing. And the locals are some of the nicest, most generous people you will ever meet. They are so happy to welcome tourists, especially if you go there off-season.

[@eliplayz22]

@@akirebara Those cities are definitely on my bucket list. Also, cave hotels with modern plumbing is an epic phrase I didn't know how much I truly needed to see

[@akirebara]

@@eliplayz22 I stayed at a converted cave hotel and it was amazing. It even had a bathtub with jets!!!! but they didnt touch the walls, it's the original cave walls. Most unique hotel I've been to until now (it's called "Castle Inn Cappadocia") but it's on the higher end. Definitely there were more cheaper options with the same deal of being one of the cave lodgings from the byzantine era

[@eliplayz22]

@@akirebara 😲

[@kaloarepo288]

There is one called Matera in southern Italy where part of the movie "Death of the Christ (Mel Gibson) was filmed.

[@shankariramasubramanyan3354]

OMG!! I was just reading about the Byzantine empire and was thinking if TedEd would make a video it would be great! What a timing!! TedEd never fails to quench the thirst for learning

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@leventaksakal5]

Ihlara Valley is a beatiful trekking route full of history

[@akirebara]

I trekked it! Wondeful memory, especially because I went there off-season in November. While I was hiking, a bit of snow was still on the ground from a few days ago. Just stunning.

[@GianlucaAiello]

one of the most spectacular unique dreamy places I ever visited...

[@MusicFangTeaLover]

What I'm hearing is inspiration for a dwarven city for my next campaign

[@depresseddavinci4749]

Literally clicked on this thinking about my next campaign! lol

[@breakinggood3601]

Every time i think i know everything about byzantium. Something new pops up

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@Becky_Cooling]

The animation is amazing!

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed!

[@user-vn2uv2ov9l]

one of the most educational channel in yt..glad i subcribed..

[@Robertganca]

Definitely.

[@Activeenglish-cnonline]

What else

[@tamercigdem5078]

there is one of them in my hometown but archeological digs started recently. it is in sarayönü /konya

[@supplican]

Been listening to the History of Byzantium podcast but there was no mention of this! I would have liked actual video of these sites, and more maps too.

[@KarlenkoFisher]

As always the narration is class,

[@susmitanayak2101]

I would love to visit this spectacular place and thanks again Ted-ed for sharing the Byzantine Empire architecture, even though these are animated. I'm curious to see how they look. They are truly majestic in their time.

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Agreed

[@gulayioek7236]

I thank you so much for this video ❤ı feel so happy because i was born in Kaymaklı 😊

[@JustinSmith-ug9wm]

This is one of my favorite TedEd videos yet! I never would have known about this amazing history otherwise.

[@mattsmith2247]

I've been fascinated by Derinkuyu since I first heardof it. So thanks for making a video about it I've been wanting to learn all I can for weeks now

[@Toby-asdf]

Spent my 2nd anniversary with my wife in one of the fairy chimneys. This place really is magical.

[@user-nu4kq4cu6n]

The music and narration is AMAZING

[@bobsburgers4678]

It’s humbling to think of these ancient generations. People living and existing just like us now long in the past

[@blazer9547]

Byzantium, the gem of Europe.

[@CDexie]

Ignored and used by Europe, more accurately.

[@Cinema_Zerkalo]

Constantinople*

[@charliefarmer4365]

This should be written into fiction. Legit I’d pay good money for a book about an underground colony of Romans who have been living their lives underground all this time.

[@histguy101]

They never stayed in them permanently, but many of these sites were used up into the 20th century off and on

[@aidanator8008]

@@histguy101 Yeah, the population would move in when the Arabs came raiding, and as soon as they left they'd go back above ground to their homes and farms.

[@thenovicenovelist]

(*Thinks back to "The Time Machine" novel*) Uh... 😮

[@jamesaaron4834]

Attack on Titan when it shows the underground city. That’s just 1% of an awesome plot …

[@legitbeans9078]

The music and narration is AMAZING 😃

[@robkenner5456]

I love Ted-Ed!!!! I never fail to learn from these videos. Please keep 'em coming. Knowledge is power. Love, A Forever Student

[@soccerlovin1]

Beautiful graphics

[@awasall3806]

I visited one of those in Turkey... it's crazzzyyyyy

[@omanyte9972]

Very interesting video. I learned something new today. Please Ted-Ed, do make video on Ajanta & Ellora caves in India. These caves are man-made and are carved on mountains. Very interesting engineering.

[@lightdrizzle]

I've been there. It is such a beautiful place.

[@FoxNArt]

Wow, because of the video, and also because I’m finally early!!!

[@domingasjoao6583]

Great video

[@ommsterlitz1805]

Turkish rule over asia minor is one of the greatest catastrophe ever made in history

[@Indresh2468]

You can generalise it and tell the spread of Islam is the biggest human catastrophe. From Egypt and Anatolia in the west to Persia and Punjab in the east - Islam destroyed local cultures, religions and languages.

[@eliafeda4429]

@@Indresh2468very true many people where force to abandon there ways to survive the oppression of the Arabs it is very sad event

[@stevens9625]

How was lighting handled underground?

[@chukstristan3605]

I think and (lament about) the Eastern Roman Empire from time to time 😢

[@demirdemirbag3194]

I do the same for the Western part. Let's meet!

[@chukstristan3605]

@@demirdemirbag3194 🤗

[@eliafeda4429]

@@demirdemirbag3194I do for both parts 😭

[@demirdemirbag3194]

@@eliafeda4429 oh, well, the party is getting out of control!

[@CheifR0cka]

Mind. Blown.

[@nuklearkhaos115]

Assassin's Creed Revelations featured one of these cities!!! It's Logs are where I first learned about these underground cities.

[@jessicajayes8326]

Reminds me of a guy in Australia who dug his house in abandoned opal mines. It was filmed for Mad Max!

[@supplican]

A guy? There are whole towns like that; Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge for instance.

[@purplecouch4767]

🎶Secret tunnel through the mountain🎶

[@minhicovers]

I liked the title and subject of this video very much. There are good videos on this channel.

[@vinlateosub]

hello

[@Calligraphy-dilipaweeratunga13]

Can you guys do a video about Great stupas of Sri Lanka?

[@quouikxoo]

Looks amazing

[@user-bp4nv3qp4d]

Phenomenal

[@dechevers]

beautiful ❤❤

[@behnazzargar8078]

It was amazing❤

[@TheWorldofStrayyCats]

Good video ;) i loved old City

[@inokesoroverebasaga139]

Amazing.

[@samfoster3981]

So cool wow incredible

[@alaskawashington]

this is so sick i can’t believe i knew basically nothing about these places

[@jerrylou9285]

Cappadocia shows the beauty of the geography of Türkiye.

[@brolol3136]

Whoah! That's cool 😮😮😮😊

[@Balendula]

You can't trust the Turkish government. Hagia Sofia was a museum for all people to cherish, now they turned it back into a mosque. I would not be surprised if they do something similar with these cities.

[@natheriver8910]

Sensacional essas cidades 👏👏👏👏

[@joshuaracey7967]

I love the color. When you visit, its just dark.

[@michaelowino228]

Good video.

[@SN-zu9nm]

hi there ted congrats for 20 mn soon,1st!

[@beth8775]

I'd love to visit these places! An absolute marvel to achieve with only hand tools. Added interest - these designs could help keep the area more habitable with climate change.

[@kainingyao7873]

This is a very unexpected and interesting discovery. Kinda reminds me of the Crystal Catacombs of old Ba Sing Se, located beneath the real city.

[@becky4845]

I wish u would do a video about ancient Ethiopia

[@eonlight89]

Please make a video on the Macedonian empire/Macedonian history? #suggestion #videosuggestion

[@Chris-yc3mm]

Must visit Turkey some day. Looks to be a facinating place

[@minosoosh]

I actually did visit turkey and it was definetely a fascinating place!

[@feraldude2]

Sad to see the animation budget has gone so low 😢 I used to love how great the animations were.

[@auro1986]

unlike your tall skyscrapers on surface that touch skies these underground settlements were energy efficient that provided comfort from extreme temperatures outside

[@samstride]

Amazing visual style. Any chance we can get a 4k wallpaper of the scene at 2:24?

[@binahl2c248]

Looks Cozy

[@Sunflowersarepretty]

My claustrophobia when I was watching this 😭😭 also I don't care how spacious it gets something about living like that makes me uneasy. Side note I'm not turk but those pronunciations were good.

[@shilpabendre9077]

Ted ed on a win streak rn ngl

[@cdpalmo]

IM HERE IM HERE

[@mrbo4576]

Awesome

[@griffredarmy]

How did they light the inside of the cave system?

[@WeloveFishsticks]

I think this would be a very cool civilization or society to explore in writing

[@alfrancisbuada2591]

Do other underground cities!

[@abhishekvanenooru2869]

i will visit one day

[@yellowbox9912]

Therapist: Greek Tatooine dosen’t exist Greek Tatooine:

[@JoanneStep]

Can you guys do a video about Greatk stupas of Sri Lanka?

[@issith7340]

Thank you for putting the truth to the origin of these underground cities if capadocia. It’s a part of medieval Greek history, we were always learning about this in history classes. Thought modern Turks, are presenting the sites, as recent surprising archaeological discoveries ( though we always knew about them and why they were abandoned), and are declaring that the hitites (😂), made them. I guess the hitites must have been Christians, in 2000 bc.

[@MOHAMADHaji-iv2iz]

i am so proud that the Arabic translation always done first thank you to all Ted teams especially arabic translators 🌸🌸

[@Indresh2468]

But your forefathers tried to destroy these beautiful monuments. Tells a lot about Arab invaders.

[@RicardoOficialomg]

What about the search of the Lost Cities of the Amazon Rainforest?

[@kamenidriss]

This is stuff right out of sci movie movies

[@joshuaracey7967]

It was actually inspiration for the set designers of the first Planet of the Apes

[@pianissimo7121]

How does air circulate? Even having pipes and stuff for air, circulation would be pretty bad, no?

[@Genny-Zee]

Cool

[@mehrajdin3632]

Your voice, Pronunciation is awesome 💯💖

[@callmethecommentcountess9329]

Interesting

[@SenkoKitsune]

Damn I'm early this time. Just in time for the Byzantines

[@araj1900]

Why don't you make a video on the burials and chariot found in Sinauli, India.

[@willlink7950]

Gotta hand it to the Byzantines between these cities and Greek Fire, they were truely remarkable

[@kumarianjana8677]

Please make a video on - why should we always drink water while sitting

[@justinpachi3707]

During the Greek and Armenian Genocides many local Christians fled into these underground cities and churches to try and flee the Ottomans and Kurdish troops trying to kill them all. Even before that during the Hamidian massacres, when news spread of slaughter of Armenians at Adana, many fled into these undergound cities like Derinkuyu.

[@a.f.2330]

Exactly, and the video says they "vacated" that land. What a sanitized way of saying that

[@cringeSpeedrunner]

New TED-Ed video. Must watch. Postpone sleeping.

[@shahirkhan6344]

Never known!

[@kadnan6111]

was there few days ago

[@krishraj3362]

How do you earn money and so amazing animations?

[@mrhoque4262]

Investors

[@socratrash]

AC Revelations has a chapter there.

[@EyesOfByes]

Altö's Odyssey

[@nazeem2835]

Under cities are greatest-best strategy yes-yes

[@sinnoh1814]

Do you get to the cloud district very often?

[@stanleybacklund5614]

This video did not do a great job of separating fact from theory. Love these cool cities

[@_fedmar_]

everybody gangsta till they find kobolds and ochre jellies and shi.