The Birklein Caves, located in the province of Diyarbakir, Turkiye, have long been associated with ancient myths and historical stories.. These caves, believed by the Assyrians to be the "

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Located just 15 kilometers from the city center of Diyarbakir, the Birklein Caves contain inscriptions, reliefs and artifacts dating back to the Assyrian and Byzantine periods.. The interconnected cave system consists of five sections, where underground rivers flow through natural tunnels before emerging to the surface.

These waterways, which the Assyrian kings thought were the sources of the Tigris River, inspired them to leave inscriptions and reliefs, some of which are more than 3,000 years old..

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

The lower entrance to the cave still contains reliefs and inscriptions attributed to Tiglath-pileser I and Shalmaneser III, notably some of the world's oldest cave paintings, now on display in the British Museum. Inscriptions from these expeditions mark a key moment in early hydrogeological research.

Local legends say that Alexander the Great visited the caves during his Persian campaign. Also, according to one story, Dhu al-Qarnain, who is often identified with Macedon, sought the healing waters of the Birklein caves to get rid of horn-like growths. The water reportedly cured him, cementing the caves' reputation as a place of mythical significance.

In addition to historical and legendary associations, modern exploration of the Birklein Caves has found evidence of human activity dating back to the late Neolithic.. Research led by Dr. Andreas Schachner in 2004 documented Assyrian relics and examined archaeological remains, further illuminating the cultural and historical importance of the area.

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

Previously, Focus wrote where exactly Alexander the Great defeated the Persians.

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