Karaca Dağ (Karacadağ, Karaca Dag) is a primeval shield volcano in today's SE Turkey. Migrating birds disperse countless seeds for abundant greenery. The mountain is the source of life-giving waters and thought by some to be the legendary Garden of Eden.
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A shield volcano, Karaca Dağ is about 130 km (80 mi ) NE of Gobelki Tepe, at the hazy border of ancient Mesopotamia and Anatolia. Gently sloping, its highest point is at 1952 m (6404 ft). First homeland of the Sumerians, it may be the mythical Garden of Eden.
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The volcano starts to form in the upper Miocene era, reacting to pressure of the Arabian plate on the Anatolian Plate. Although its last major eruption is c. 100,000 years ago, Landsat imagery identifies later basaltic lava flows of only a few thousand years old.
In a shield volcano, eruptions are fluid lava streams of basalt, each building on the ones before, much like Neolithic mound settlements. Basaltic lava can flow far from the vent, making shield volcanoes wider than they are tall. Over 90% of all volcanic rock is basalt.
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Basalt is made of oxides of silicon, iron, magnesium, potassium, aluminum, titanium and calcium. It often contains precious metals. Due to its finely grained composition basalt is used as a touchstone. Basalt is especially known for massive fantastic formations.
The northeast slopes o Karaca Dag, facing today's Diyarbakır, are ideal for agriculture due to their thin soil, compared to the coarse stony components of other areas. The mountain is extensively used for livestock grazing.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research have successfully identified the genetically common ancestor of 68 modern types of cereal. The plant still grows wild on the slopes of Mount Karaca.
Cultivated as early as 12,000 years ago, einkorn wheat is believed to be the first crop grown by humans. Agriculture booms with the "Neolithic Revolution" after the last Ice Age, c. 10,000 BCE. Humans start to settle down, raise crops and domesticate animals.
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Wheat, bitter vetch and chickpeas first appear on Karacadag. Grapes and olives are widely cultivated. Olives originate in Turkey c. 3800 BCE before spreading throughout the Mediterranean. Grapes are first grown between the Black Sea and today's Iran.
Sheep and goats are domesticated here c. 8000 BCE, followed by pigs and cattle c. 5800 BCE. Karaca Dağ is considered the place of origin of ancient Sumerians, who migrate to the Tigris and Euphrates river basin by c. 4500 - 4000 BCE.
Karaca Dağ is densely covered with forest vegetation such as cedar, hazel and pine until c. 40-50 years ago. The lush and gentle mountain slopes easily form the basis of a mythical paradise. Soil is fertile, waters flow fresh, skies and forests are alive with birds and beasts.
Wildlife includes red fox, European hare, beech marten, Eurasian badger, wolf and hedgehog. The people of the area today are settled Kurds and Turks, and nomadic Arab herders tending sheep, cows and goats.
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The armies of Persia, Constantinople and Rome march through this area in antiquity and medieval times. To c. 1200 BCE the region is occupied by Hittites. Also called Mt. Masia, Karaca Dag gives this name to the blue-violet Iris masia which blooms upon its slopes.
Streams coming from Karaca Dağ are the most important area water sources for the region. A large number of springs emerge on the southern side of Karaca Dağ and to the north, including:
The river Khabur originates on the SW slope and flows into the Euphrates.
The original main source of the river Euphrates is Camcayi Creek on Karaka Dag.
The river Tigris initially has four sources on Karaca Dağ.
Sanliurfa and specifically the Karaca Dağ area produce bottled spring waters.
Karaca Dag is on an important bird migration route, the Mediterranean-Black Sea Flyway. Birds native and migrational include bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, peregrine falcon, herons, pelicans, egrets, ravens, woodpeckers, chukar partridge, quail, swans and ducks.
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Some theologians believe Karaca Dag may be:
the landing point of Noah's Ark after the Great Flood of Yahweh
the Garden of Eden
Among other things the first is based on the variety of animal relief carvings found at Gobekli Tepe, the oldest known megalithic cult site; and, the vast variety of flora and fauna inhabiting the mountain.
The second refers to Sumerian origin myths. God Enki waters the town Dilmun, at the east coast of the Persian Gulf, by request of mother goddess Ninhursag. The role of Karaca Dag is unclear. Migratory bird corridors are the source of many Garden of Eden theories.
Closer to the east Black Sea, another volcanic mountain, Nemrut, is said to be named after King Nimrod. Not far from Nemrut in the same volcanic zone is Mt Ararat, another suggested resting site for the legendary Ark.