11. Araştırma Sonuçları Toplantısı - Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı

PURPOSES OF PLURIENNAL PROJECT OF RESEARCHThe Italian National Commission for Artificial Cavities is carryingout an interdisciplinary research in order to collect and organize the documentationconceming the hypopogean systems of Cappadocia.Therefore a series of general interventions has been established in orderto develop the research plan:1- Speleological exploration, with the possible deaning of occluded undergroundways.2- Topographic surveyand plotting of the hypogea. (First phase: quick/second phase: detailed).3- Mapping of the region: reconstruction of geographic maps and positionfinding of the underground structures and ofterritorial connections.4- Typological catalogue: survey of the hypogea characteristics in orderto catalogue the different ways of uti1ization, urbanistic layouts, constructivetechniques, ete...).5- Historical/archaeologic survey: researches on the hypogea dating, onthe people who lived there and their socialorganization; identificationof shrecls and other ancient materials; analysis of the connections withplain air settlements.6- Geological survey: identificationof lithic types; research on excavationand evacuation techniques; micro-climatic survey.7- Video/photographic documentation.SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS OF THE 1991 AND1992 EXPEDlTIONSAfter the 1991 and 1992 expeditions it is possible to elaborate asynthesis of the achieved results:1- Location of many different underground systems in the area directlyverified or deseribed by local people. This research permitted the settingup of a first computer arehive of the places and the mapping accordingto their location on the five provinces of Nevşehir, Niğde,Yozgat, Kayseri and Kırşehir.2- Underground exploration with speleological methods: use of selfsufficientilIumination, of the special equipment for the descent ofwells, partial c1earings, dislocation of millstone-doors, overcoming oflandslides and narrow passages.45