Yedisalkim
About 76km/47mi southeast of Van on the Boset Tepesi (3,684m/1,2080ft) a gorge about 9km/5mi long and 100-150m/110-160yds deep cuts through rock at a height of 2,500m/8,200ft. Over 60 caves have been found in the area of the gorge and paintings, some of dancing female figures, have been discovered in four of them. One of the caves is known as the Kizlarin Magarasi (Maiden's Cave). Other animal paintings include depictions of mountain goats and deer.
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Altogether there are about 150 drawings but many are covered in soot. In prehistoric times the caves were obviously used for pagan rites. The flat-topped Baset Dagi (3,684m/12,080ft) towers above the west of the valley. The mountain is regarded as sacred by the local population and certain cults still conduct their rituals here.