The Ka.Y.A. project began in Ahlat (East Turkey) in 2007, by Centro Studi Sotterranei / Centre for Underground Studies of Genoa (Italy), in the main project 'Eski Ahlat Sehri Kazis' (The Ahlat ancient city excavation) directed from 2005 to 2010 by Dr. Prof. Nakis Karamagarali (Gazi University, Ankara). The Ka.Y.A. project aims to identify and study the rock-cut sites around Ahlat, as completion of major archaeological excavations in the ancient city located on the northern shores of Lake Van. The Ahlat region is a huge area, at an altitude between 1,700 and 2,500 m, and wedged between massive volcanic systems. During four years of research (2007-2010) the archaeo-speleologist team documented 395 rock-cut sites and underground structures most of which date back to medieval and post-medieval times, relating to different cultures and religions: Armenian, Seljuk, Ilkhanid, Kara Koyunlu, Ak Koyunlu and Ottoman. The results of the first survey campaign were completed in 2007 and published as BAR S2293 (2011), the second campaign 2008 is available as BAR S2560 (2013). These volumes are now supplemented by the new discoveries uncovered during the third season in 2009, with the hope to publish as soon as possible the results of the last mission completed in 2010.

Since 1991, the Centro Studi Sotterranei of Genoa has conducted the exploration, survey and documentation of rock-cut and underground structures located in different regions of Turkey. The Ka.Y.A. project was begun in 2007, with the goal of the identification and the study of rock-cut sites around Ahlat in eastern Turkey, as completion of major archaeological excavations in the ancient city located on the northern shores of Lake Van. It is a vast area, at an altitude between 1,700 and 2,500 m.a.s.l. and wedged between massive volcanic systems. During the four years of research the team documented 395 rock-cut sites most of which date back to medieval and post-medieval times and relating to different cultures and religions: Armenian, Seljuk, Ilkhanid, Kara Koyunlu, Ak Koyunlu, and Ottoman. The results of the first survey campaign were completed in 2007 and published as BAR S2293 (2011). That volume is now supplemented by the data obtained during the second season in 2008, with the hope to publish as soon as possible the results of the subsequent missions completed in 2009 and 2010. Parallel Italian and English text.

This is an interim report from the ongoing excavations at Ahlat in eastern Turkey, and presents a premlimary survey of the extensive underground Islamic era settlements. Overall more than 700 natural and artificial cavities were identified and eight independent settlements. All were photographed, with plans provided for the more significant. Parallel Italian and English text.