'Who crosses the area of the Maeander is at his east side threatened by the dark zig zag top of the Latmos a granite mountain created by eruptions. Inhospitable and poor this mountain separated from the thoroughfare by a lake has ahvays been the most desolate area of the region. in the unparalleled vvildness of jumbled rocks the Latmos is one of the greatest nature experiences a traveller can be gran-ted.'(M.Schede1936).

in this mountain region which was so apdy described in his time by M. Schede in the past years numerous 1ar-gely unknovra settlement traces have been found which are decisively characterised by the rock landscape of the Latmos. Mount Latmos was one of the sacred mountains of Anatolia; its top was the residence place of the highest god the Weather God. Among the numerous recent discoveri- \ es the Prehistoric rock paintings with their unique imagery aıe undoubtedly the most important. in the Karadere Cave j presumably the central sanctuary of the VVeather God even \ the modern Adsitor becomes aware of the connection betwe- \ en the rock paintings and the mountain top.