World’s Oldest Psychiatric Hospital Revealed in Turkey’s Cappadocia

Deep beneath the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, archaeologists and local authorities have announced the restoration of what they believe to be humanity’s earliest known mental health facility.

The Aya Maryeros Underground Monastery in Derinkuyu, dating back to the 4th century AD, served dual purposes as both a religious sanctuary and a pioneering psychiatric treatment center during the Byzantine era. This extraordinary discovery promises to revolutionize our understanding of ancient medical practices and mental health care in the early Christian world.

Located in the Cumhuriyet district of Derinkuyu, Nevsehir province, this underground complex was initially identified in the 1990s beneath a neglected building that had been used as a waste site for decades.

The Derinkuyu District Governor’s Office and municipality have now launched an ambitious restoration project to transform the site into a museum, recognizing its profound historical significance.

According to Türkiye Today, the complex features the characteristic tunnels, living quarters, storage rooms, and rock-carved galleries that define Cappadocia’s famous underground cities.

Revolutionary Medical Practices in Ancient Times

Derinkuyu Mayor, Taner Ince, emphasized the site’s unprecedented historical importance, describing it as “the world’s oldest and first mental hospital” where Christian clerics provided care for individuals suffering from psychological conditions.

This assertion, if confirmed through further archaeological investigation, would predate other known ancient medical facilities by centuries. The monastery operated during a crucial period when early Christianity was establishing new approaches to caring for society’s most vulnerable members.

According to historical accounts researched by the Anatolian Archaeology Network, Byzantine medical practitioners at the monastery employed innovative therapeutic methods that combined spiritual care with practical treatment approaches.

These included music therapy, physical rehabilitation, and comprehensive spiritual support – techniques that bear remarkable similarities to modern holistic mental health treatment program.

Archaeological Significance and Restoration Challenges

Historian Eray Karaketir, who has extensively studied Cappadocia’s underground settlements, explained that Aya Maryeros forms part of a vast network of subterranean communities carved into the region’s distinctive volcanic rock formations.

These underground cities were constructed by early Christians fleeing persecution in the Eastern Roman Empire, serving as secure refuges during times of religious and political upheaval.

The monastery lies approximately 10 to 15 meters (33-49 ft) underground and was specifically renowned for serving individuals with mental health conditions.

Karaketir noted that centuries of looting had significantly damaged the structure, with wooden doors destroyed and supporting columns compromised.

The current restoration effort focuses on structural stabilization, installation of permanent lighting systems, and eventual reopening of blocked tunnels that may connect to the vast Derinkuyu Underground City network.

Future Plans for Cultural Tourism

The restoration project represents a significant investment in Cappadocia’s already thriving cultural tourism industry. Officials believe the completed museum will provide visitors with unique insights into both religious and medical history, complementing the region’s existing attractions such as the famous Derinkuyu Underground City, which could accommodate up to 20,000 residents.

The discovery adds another layer to Turkey’s rich archaeological heritage and demonstrates the sophisticated understanding of mental health care that existed in ancient civilizations.

As restoration work continues, scholars anticipate that Aya Maryeros will become a crucial site for understanding the intersection of religion, medicine, and social welfare in the Byzantine world.

Archaeologists Uncover 4,800-Year-Old Bronze Age Tombs in Başur Höyük, Türkiye, Where Teenage Girls Were Ritually Sacrificed

As the first civilizations began to emerge in Mesopotamia and Anatolia, significant transformations in social structure, economy, and culture took place. Among the most revealing archaeological sites shedding light on this period is Başur Höyük, an ancient royal cemetery located in eastern Türkiye.

Recent studies indicate that this site offers crucial insights into the origins of inequality during the Bronze Age, situated at the margins of the Mesopotamian world.

Başur Höyük, located in the Siirt province of modern-day Türkiye, has been identified as a significant settlement during the third millennium BCE. Excavations have uncovered monumental tombs belonging to the local elite, which contain exceptional burial goods such as weapons, prestige objects, and offerings.

These findings suggest a clear social differentiation among the region’s inhabitants, indicating that Başur Höyük was a center of local power with strong connections to the major cities of Mesopotamia.

Recent archaeological studies are challenging long-held beliefs about the origins of kingship in Mesopotamia, particularly through findings from Başur Höyük.

Excavations in this region have revealed evidence suggesting that kingship and warrior aristocracies may have emerged much earlier than previously thought, outside of urban centers.

Notably, at Arslantepe on the Malatya Plain of eastern Türkiye, a palace complex dating to around 3300 BC is documented from a non-urban setting, located far from the nearest centers of urban growth in lowland Mesopotamia, where evidence for secular rulership is either negligible or ambiguous at that time.

This finding aligns with recent research indicating that palatial structures may have existed earlier than previously thought, challenging the traditional view that such buildings only appeared after the rise of cities.

Additionally, the site has yielded what is identified as the earliest known “royal tomb,” containing a significant amount of metal weaponry and ornamentation. Surrounding this main burial are subsidiary graves interpreted as ritual sacrifice victims, further emphasizing the complexity of social hierarchies in early societies.

One of the most striking discoveries at the site is evidence of human sacrifices, a practice also documented in other ancient civilizations. Archaeologists have found remains of multiple individuals buried alongside rulers, symbolizing a ritual transition to the afterlife and the maintenance of social order even in death.

Such sacrificial practices were common in hierarchical societies, where leaders utilized these rituals to demonstrate power and reinforce loyalty among their subjects.

Bioarchaeological analyses reveal that the victims were often deliberately selected, predominantly teenage girls, highlighting the stark inequalities present in these early societies.

The burial goods found at Başur Höyük further illustrate the growing inequality in the region during the Bronze Age. Elite tombs contained bronze daggers, spearheads, cylinder seals, and intricate gold and silver jewelry, signifying privileged access to valuable resources and advanced technologies.

These elements support the hypothesis that social inequality did not arise spontaneously but was the result of a gradual process driven by the consolidation of power, resource control, and the institutionalization of class differences.

The analysis of this royal cemetery enhances our understanding of how human societies transitioned from egalitarian systems to highly stratified structures. Positioned between the Mesopotamian cities and the tribal populations of Anatolia, Başur Höyük played a crucial role in the diffusion of ideas, technologies, and power dynamics.

Researchers argue that early state formation in Mesopotamia cannot simply be characterized as a combination of cities, bureaucracy, and dynastic elites. Instead, radical forms of inequality may have originated in small-scale communities before influencing broader political relations.

As new findings continue to emerge from Başur Höyük, they promise to reshape our understanding of the complexities of early social hierarchies and the processes that led to the establishment of inequality in ancient societies.

2,000 Bronze Statue Fragments Found in Ancient Scrap Yard

Archaeologists in Izmir, Turkey have made an extraordinary discovery in the ancient city of Metropolis: Approximately 2,000 bronze  statue fragments have been found in a section believed to have served as an “ancient scrap yard”.

The excavations are being carried out within the scope of the ‘Heritage to the Future Project’ of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, under the direction of Prof. Serdar Aybek, Professor of Archaeology at Dokuz Eylül University, and in cooperation with the Sabancı Foundation.

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of many civilizations, from the earliest settlements in the Late Neolithic Age to the Classical Age, from the Hellenistic Age to the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods, in the ancient city of Metropolis, also called the “City of Mother Goddess,” where excavations have been going on since 1990.

In the ancient city, where many monumental structures were unearthed,  these fragments, uncovered in an area believed to have served as an “ancient scrap yard,” offer a unique glimpse into the cultural and religious shifts of the region during the Late Antiquity period.

Professor Serdar Aybek stated that the bronze statue fragments were found in a corner of a space referred to as an “ancient scrap yard,” where they had been broken apart for melting and stored in bulk.

Aybek explained that the findings include statue pieces from the Hellenistic period and figures from the Roman era, describing them as “extraordinary discoveries, even for our field of work. We have uncovered approximately 2,000 bronze statue fragments,” he said.

He highlighted the significance of the bronze statues being broken into pieces, noting, “The collection and recycling of statues in the Late Antiquity provide concrete evidence in Metropolis. Among the findings are parts such as heads, eyes, fingers, and sandals.”

Drawing attention to the dismantling of these statues, Aybek said, “In the Late Antiquity, as mythological beliefs were abandoned in favor of monotheistic religions and Christianity became dominant in the region, bronze statues from mythological and earlier eras were dismantled.

Although we do not yet have archaeological evidence to confirm this claim, we can suggest that a significant portion of them was repurposed for minting coins.

During that period, rather than producing new materials, bronze groups, mainly consisting of outdated or damaged statues, were broken apart by the ancient scrap yard worker and prepared for melting.”

The fragments might be from the statues built to honor the benefactors listed in the “Metropolitan Apollonios” inscription, according to Aybek, who also underlined the historical significance of bronze statues in antiquity.

What makes this discovery even more remarkable is the evidence of recycling practices that date back over a millennium.

In addition to the fragmented statues, archaeologists discovered square and rectangular bronze plates that were probably used for statue casting and repair. This implies that, at its height, Metropolis might have served as a center for the creation or repair of bronze statues.

Hagia Sophia’s Mysterious Underground Tunnels, Vaults, Tombs to Open for Visitors

The Turkish Ministry of Culture is carrying out a cleaning program aimed at opening to the public the underground spaces of the famous Hagia Sophia in İstanbul, one of the world’s famous architectural wonders.

This project includes the restoration of tunnels, vaults, corridors, and a three-room underground tomb beneath the historic structure.

These subterranean features served a variety of purposes, from ventilation to storage and even burial. They are interconnected, forming a concealed network described by experts as the “lifelines” of Hagia Sophia.

The “Hypogeum,” a three-room underground tomb four meters below the northeast façade of Hagia Sophia, is one of the most fascinating finds. It was built in the fourth century A.D. before Hagia Sophia was built in the sixth century.

The existence of this particular underground structure was known since 1946, but it had been inundated with four tons of mud and sediments. With the large-scale cleaning works of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2020, rubble and mud were cleaned and its grandeur was revealed.

Over time, it underwent various modifications and was linked to other subterranean facilities through ventilation shafts, making it one of the region’s oldest architectural remnants.

Dr. Hasan Fırat Diker, of the Hagia Sophia Science Council, said they’ve studied Hagia Sophia’s underground structures for five years.

The structures surrounding Hagia Sophia are approximately one kilometer long and the cleaning is expected to last one year.

“This study is very important and valuable in the sense that both existing places can be visited, even if only a part of them, and the findings inside are dealt with sensitivity under the supervision of the Hagia Sophia Museum and those that are revealed can shed light on the history of Istanbul,” Diker said.

He adds that the sections under the arcaded courtyard are as old as Hagia Sophia, meaning they are 1,500 years old and the tomb area is believed to be older than the current structure.

Diker noted the importance of addressing both the superstructure and the infrastructure. “It is pleasing that not only the superstructure but also the infrastructure is being addressed,” he noted.

2-Meter-Long Stone Block Found at 12,000-Year-Old Boncuklu Tarla Site in Southeastern Türkiye

A remarkable 2-meter by 20-centimeter processed stone block was discovered during the archaeological excavations at Boncuklu Tarla (Beaded Field), which illuminates the history of humanity with its 12,000-year past in the Ilısu neighborhood of the Dargeçit district of Mardin.

The region, which has hosted 25 civilizations throughout history, including Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Hittites, Assyrians, Urartians, Romans, Abbasids, Seljuks, and Ottomans, continues to reveal ancient human life.

Archaeological excavations in Boncuklu Tarla, initiated in 2012 by the Mardin Museum Directorate have been continuing and led by Associate Professor Ergül Kodaş, a faculty member in the Department of Archaeology at Mardin Artuklu University.

In Boncuklu Tarla, which has an area of approximately 2.5 hectares and was included in the ‘Heritage for the Future Project’ of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism this year, many finds belonging to the period from the Late Epipaleolithic period to the Neolithic Age have been unearthed so far.

The excavations finally uncovered the remains of a ‘public building’, which is estimated to be about 12 thousand years old.

This roughly 10-meter-diameter structure looks to have been in continuous use for a number of phases. It is noteworthy that the building underwent at least four renovations, each of which involved filling in the floor. This finding casts doubt on previous theories that the buildings at Boncuklu Tarla were occupied only once before being abandoned.

In the remains of the structure, a stele (worked stone block) measuring 2 metres 20 centimetres in length and many find such as miniature steles, beads, arrowheads, and bull horns were unearthed.

According to Associate Professor Ergul Kodas, the excavation leader from Mardin Artuklu University, this large stele is a groundbreaking find for the site and the Upper Tigris Valley. “For the first time, such a large stele has been discovered both at Boncuklu Tarla and in the Upper Tigris Valley,” said Kodas.

The stele is especially noteworthy because it bears similarities to those in the Sanliurfa region, indicating a historical relationship between these two regions.

Moreover, a miniature replica of the stele was found inside the structure, offering more information about the connections between the areas at this time.

An invaluable window into the lives of ancient societies in the Upper Tigris Valley is offered by the discoveries made at Boncuklu Tarla.

Continued excavations hold the potential to deepen our knowledge of early human civilization in Turkey by illuminating the lengthy history of the area’s architectural and cultural development.