The region’s bedrock has a consistency that allowed the underground dwelling — known as a damous — to last for centuries without collapsing. Some of the buildings are over 2,300 years old, and ancient Greek historians mentioned their existence, according to historian Youssef al-Khattali. Today, Belhaj says he is the owner of the oldest underground home in Gharyan, a town where many residents have family records and property deeds dating back centuries. “The same tribes extend from Nalut to Gabes,” said historian Khattali, referring to towns on the Libyan and Tunisian sides. Their sites were carefully chosen and the buildings painstakingly excavated by hand to avoid them collapsing in the process.

Source: Libya Today April 17, 2022 15:20 UTC