Hello. I am fairly new to the game (I still have yet to beat the Pangolin), and I recently discovered a cave in the Pharynx mine. It is only reachable by jumping off of the side and landing on a rocky outcrop. It has very odd lighting, and after a while it takes you to a different area, containing what appears to be some tumbleweeds containing color, a tree, a sandbox, and some blood. None of these objects are intractable, so I was just wondering if the area served any purpose (besides freaking me out).

It is an Easter egg referring to IPL first game, Pathologic

You have no idea how my heart flutters to hear that confirmed.
I feel much less silly for thinking so now.

ETA: There's actually two Easter Egg areas in the game, the second being much more difficult to find. It has a pretty poem, and another Pathologic reference, so keep a look out