Radical Human

Istanbul. To the casual observer, it’s a city where continents meet, cultures collide, and history echoes from every corner. Yet, for me, living amidst its vibrant chaos has never fostered a sense of fondness. If you knew me, you might assume I cherish Istanbul’s mosaics, its bustling bazaars, and the timeless dance of East and West. Surprisingly, that assumption would be wrong.

While it’s easy to point out the obvious grievances—endless traffic, the overwhelming number of people that can make the streets feel claustrophobic—I’m not even mentioning the political and economic frustrations. Beneath these surface-level irritations, I was told that something more profound lies: an unspoken disconnect that I’ve yet to unravel. To truly understand what Murad IV meant when he said, “O, my God! Let this town flourish to the end of time,” I’ve decided to embark on an unconventional journey. Instead of merely navigating Istanbul’s physical spaces, I aim to explore its essence through the lens of time.

Thus, I will chronicle my exploration of Istanbul’s multifaceted existence in a multiseries blog. I will start from the beginning—its geological past—and move through ancient civilizations, uncovering the myriad layers of history that have shaped its present. Alongside, I’m immersing myself in Bettany Hughes’ Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities, allowing her insights to guide and complement my own discoveries. A small note: I hate taking photos, so you will only see references when there is an absolute necessity or undeniable beauty.

You might wonder why a self-professed non-enthusiast like me is delving into geology. During my university years, I took some pre-history courses that left me comfortably fluent in terms like “Miocene epoch” and “Anatolian Fault.” Add to that a friend with the quirky idea of connecting geology and mathematics to create models of history, and you have the perfect inspiration for this endeavor. I never thought I’d revisit those conversations, but here we are.

To begin this journey, let’s travel back to the origins of Istanbul, when there was only silence—a vast, unbroken silence where time had yet to carve its first mark. Beneath what would one day become the Istanbul, the earth whispered secrets older than thought, secrets carried through the eons by the relentless soft pulse of nature.

In those primordial days, the area that would eventually cradle Istanbul was a mosaic of tectonic forces. Situated at the nexus of the Anatolian, Eurasian, and African Plates, Istanbul’s geological foundation is a testament to the dynamic Earth processes that have shaped not only the landscape but also the destiny of civilizations. This intricate interplay of tectonic activity has forged a region that serves as a natural bridge between continents, a feature that has profoundly influenced the city’s trajectory.

The story of Istanbul’s geology begins in the depths of the Miocene epoch—approximately 23 to 5 million years ago—a period marked by significant tectonic movements and climatic shifts. During this time, the Anatolian Plate was under intense stress due to its interactions with neighboring plates, leading to the formation of the Anatolian Fault. This major right-lateral strike-slip fault runs through the heart of the region and has been a prolific source of seismic activity, contributing to the area’s susceptibility to earthquakes.

Throughout the Miocene and into the Pliocene epoch, sedimentation processes further molded Istanbul’s topography. The region experienced alternating periods of marine transgressions and regressions, resulting in the deposition of marine sediments interspersed with layers of volcanic ash from nearby volcanic activity. These sedimentary layers created a complex stratigraphy beneath the city, providing valuable insights into past environmental conditions and aiding in the understanding of current geological stability. The fertile sediment deposits laid the groundwork for lush plains that would support diverse ecosystems and, eventually, thriving hominid settlements.

One of Istanbul’s most defining geological features is the Bosporus Strait, a narrow, natural waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. The formation of the Bosporus is attributed to tectonic rifting and erosional processes that exploited weaknesses in the Earth’s crust. This strait not only serves as a critical maritime passage but also acts as a potent geological boundary influencing local seismicity and sediment transport. It’s amusing to think that the very geological forces shaping the Bosporus would later play a silent role in history’s most pivotal moments. The earth beneath Istanbul’s waters, once just shifting tectonic plates, would help define empires.

The city is famously built upon Seven Hills, each corresponding to ancient Byzantine hills pivotal in the city’s defense and development. These elevations are the result of differential erosion and sediment deposition over millions of years. Beyazit Hill and Çamlıca Hill, composed primarily of limestone and marl, have withstood erosive forces better than surrounding substrates. These geological formations provided natural fortifications, influencing the placement of key structures like the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace, seamlessly integrating the Earth’s contours into human architecture.

As I explore Istanbul’s layers, I am not merely uncovering geological history. I’m uncovering the essence of the city itself. The tectonic forces that shaped the land also played a silent role in the rise of one of history’s most iconic empires. In this way, the city’s story is as much about the land beneath our feet as it is about the lives that have built upon it.

For those interested in diving deeper into the fascinating geological details of Istanbul’s formation, I highly recommend this incredible source, which provides a comprehensive look into the city’s geology: Geology and stratigraphy of Istanbul region.