A place where the world ends: what you need to know about the Birklein Caves.

The Birklein Caves, located in the Diyarbakır province of Turkey, have long been intertwined with ancient myths and historical legends. These caves, believed by the Assyrians to be the "end of the world" and the source of the Tigris River, unveil layers of history spanning millennia, writes Arkeonews.

Situated just 15 kilometers from the center of Diyarbakır, the Birklein Caves feature inscriptions, reliefs, and artifacts dating back to the Assyrian and Byzantine periods. This interconnected system of caves consists of five sections, where underground rivers flow through natural tunnels before emerging to the surface.

These waterways, which the Assyrian kings considered to be the sources of the Tigris River, inspired them to leave inscriptions and reliefs, some of which are over 3,000 years old.

One of the prominent figures associated with the caves is Shalmaneser III, an Assyrian king who led an expedition to the region in 852 BC. Considering this site to be the true source of the Tigris River, he documented his discoveries in inscriptions near the cave.

The lower entrance of the cave still contains reliefs and inscriptions attributed to Tiglath-Pileser I and Shalmaneser III, including some of the oldest cave images in the world, which are now displayed in the British Museum. The inscriptions from these expeditions mark a pivotal moment in early hydrogeological studies.

Local legends state that Alexander the Great visited the caves during his Persian campaign. Additionally, according to one story, Dhul-Qarnayn, often identified with Alexander, sought the healing waters of the Birklein Caves to rid himself of horn-like growths. The water is said to have cured him, solidifying the caves' reputation as a site of mythical significance.

Aside from historical and legendary associations, modern studies of the Birklein Caves have uncovered evidence of human activity dating back to the late Neolithic period. Research conducted under the direction of Dr. Andreas Schachner in 2004 documented Assyrian relics and explored archaeological remains, further illuminating the cultural and historical importance of this area.

Today, the Birklein Caves remain a popular destination for tourists and history enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the intricate river systems of the caves and the ancient inscriptions that provide insight into humanity's quest to understand the natural world.

We also reported about the "rhinoceros" beneath the roadway. Archaeologists discovered a 1,500-year-old Roman-era stone sarcophagus, weighing 750 kilograms.