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The text asserts that the Garden was planted in the eastern part of the region known as Eden, and that in Eden, the river divided into four branches: Hiddekel (also known as [[Tigris]]), [[Euphrates]], [[Pishon]] and [[Gihon]]. While the identity of the first two is commonly accepted, the latter two rivers have been the subject of much debate. If the Garden of Eden had been near the sources of the Tigris and the Euphrates, then it might be located in eastern [[Anatolia]], specifically the [[Armenian Highland]] in eastern Turkey.  

The text asserts that the Garden was planted in the eastern part of the region known as Eden, and that in Eden, the river divided into four branches: Hiddekel (also known as [[Tigris]]), [[Euphrates]], [[Pishon]] and [[Gihon]]. While the identity of the first two is commonly accepted, the latter two rivers have been the subject of much debate. If the Garden of Eden had been near the sources of the Tigris and the Euphrates, then it might be located in eastern [[Anatolia]], specifically the [[Armenian Highland]] in eastern Turkey.  

Michael Sanders, director of expeditions for the Mysteries of the Bible Research Foundation, in Irvine, California, says that the Garden of Eden is in eastern [[Turkey]], because the Tigris and Euphrates take their source in the mountains there.  Sanders identifies the 4 rivers of Eden as the [[Murat River]], the Tigris, the Euphrates, and the north fork of the Euphrates.  In support of this, Sanders cites a satellite image showing that "a river rises out of Eden and divides into four".[http://www.biblemysteries.com/library/edennorth.htm Satellite image]  This is centred at approximately {{coor dms|38|33|25.0|N|39|12|0.0|E|}}

Michael Sanders, director of expeditions for the Mysteries of the Bible Research Foundation, in Irvine, California, says that the Garden of Eden is in eastern [[Turkey]], because the Tigris and Euphrates take their source in the mountains there.  Sanders identifies the 4 rivers of Eden as the [[Murat River]], the Tigris, the Euphrates, and the north fork of the Euphrates.  In support of this, Sanders cites a satellite image showing that "a river rises out of Eden and divides into four".[http://www.biblemysteries.com/library/edennorth.htm Satellite image]  This is centred at approximately 38|33|25.0|N|39|12|0.0|E|

In [[Assyria]]n records, there is mention of a "[[Beth Eden]]" (House of Eden), a small [[Aramaean]] state, located on the bend of the Euphrates River just south of [[Carchemish]], in the vicinity of Urfa and Harran (Turkey) at approximately {{coor dm|36|55|N|38|00|E|}}.

In [[Assyria]]n records, there is mention of a "[[Beth Eden]]" (House of Eden), a small [[Aramaean]] state, located on the bend of the Euphrates River just south of [[Carchemish]], in the vicinity of Urfa and Harran (Turkey) at approximately 36|55|N|38|00|E|.

==== Northern Mesopotamia====

==== Northern Mesopotamia====