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The old town of Midyat in Mardin province.

Midyat in south-eastern Turkey. The town was built above a vast ancient cave city. All photos: AFP

The Matiate archaeological site is estimated to span 90 hectares.

Ancient communities may have used the city as a refuge at times of conflict, or to escape the spread of disease.

More than 50 rooms have been cleared, with each one connected by 120 metres of tunnel carved out of the rock.

The Matiate archaeological site, beneath the town of Midyat, near the border with Syria.

The vast cave city is still being examined by municipal officials and historians.

Municipal employees work inside the site.

Midyat conservation director Mervan Yavuz has overseen the excavation.

Matiate may have been used as a hiding place by those facing persecution by the Romans.

It is thought to be the largest underground city in Turkey's southern Anatolia region.

Mr Yavuz has traced the city's beginnings to the reign of King Ashurnasirpal II, who ruled the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 883 to 859 BC.

The old town of Midyat in Mardin province.

Midyat in south-eastern Turkey. The town was built above a vast ancient cave city. All photos: AFP

The Matiate archaeological site is estimated to span 90 hectares.

Ancient communities may have used the city as a refuge at times of conflict, or to escape the spread of disease.

More than 50 rooms have been cleared, with each one connected by 120 metres of tunnel carved out of the rock.

The Matiate archaeological site, beneath the town of Midyat, near the border with Syria.

The vast cave city is still being examined by municipal officials and historians.

Municipal employees work inside the site.

Midyat conservation director Mervan Yavuz has overseen the excavation.

Matiate may have been used as a hiding place by those facing persecution by the Romans.

It is thought to be the largest underground city in Turkey's southern Anatolia region.

Mr Yavuz has traced the city's beginnings to the reign of King Ashurnasirpal II, who ruled the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 883 to 859 BC.

The old town of Midyat in Mardin province.

Photo essay: Vast cave city discovered under Mardin, Turkey

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