É. Apor (ed.): Stein, Aurel: Old Routes of Western Iran. (Budapest Oriental Reprints, Ser. B 2.)

Chapter I.—In Westernmost Färs

32 IN WESTERNMOST FA RS [Chap. I three small ruined structures inside it. This ' gate ' is known by the name of

' Kullah Jerin '. The path leading to it from the foot of the mountain was declared to be very difficult even on foot. The fourth ridge falls off with precipitous cliffs into the narrow valley of Tang-i-Gusangün, and forms the eastern edge of the plateau. Want of time prevented its being visited by me, and thus the position of the ' gate

' of Siäh-shir reported to guard access to the plateau from that side could not be ascertained. None of the remains above briefly described can be dated further back than Sasanian times. But there can be no doubt that the mountain of Qal'a-saffd must have served from a very early period as a safe place of refuge for tribes holding the neighbouring hills. Owing to the great extent of its circuit complete blockade must have been practically impossible, and owing to the rock walls protecting the top assault in old times would have had no chance of success as long as the few points of access were guarded by determined men. That the grazing and water available on the plateau would suffice for a considerable number of cattle is proved by the annual migration there of nomadic Jäwi herdsmen. But while the strength for defence afforded here by nature is great, it is equally certain from a look at the map that the position of Qal'asafid could not have been of military importance for barring- the ancient caravan route leading up to the plateaus of Färs. After a steep descent from the rocky height, more troublesome even than the ascent, had brought us back to camp long after nightfall, we started on the morning of December i for the move down the Fahliün valley