Hide And Seek
The cool temperature and lack of direct sunlight were excellent conditions for storing produce. The ancient dwellers would transfer grains, fruits and vegetables to protect them from prowlers of any sort. Additionally, they used to move their cattle down to these chambers. But why would they need to transfer their livestock to their secret underground?
Race For Refuge
Across multiple centuries, invading forces attacked the populations living in the now central Turkish state. Whether it was Muslim Arabs during the Byzantine Era or Mongolian invaders during the 14th Century, they needed a place of refuge.