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

Chapter II. —In Kohgalu Tracts

Sec. 1] BÄSHT TO KHAIRABÄD RIVER SS angular shape, constructed with cemented rough stonework, and show for the most part uniform dimensions of 15 by 3 yards. In the case of some of them, built along the top of a narrow spur, it seemed difficult to understand how rain-water could have been expected to fill them. But that part of the fairly open valley through which the descent led must have been at one time cultivated was shown by numerous stone walls dividing fields, and also in places by debris from completely decayed dwellings. No permanent habitations can be found now in the wide plain, measuring fully 5 miles across from east to west, where the lonely Mazär of Imam Ja'far was reached after a march of about 9 miles. Since the old qanät traceable below the mouth of the valley of Närak or Sharrafi to the north-east has ceased to bring water for irrigation, cultivation is carried on intermittently over patches of this ground from a few villages settled far away in neighbouring valleys. Conditions perhaps somewhat more favourable in prehistoric times seemed to be indicated by the presence of a low mound situated near a dry wädi to the north-east of the Mazär. It measures about 150 by 80 yards at its foot with a height nowhere more than 8-9 feet. Numerous small worked flints were picked up on its surface, but only very few fragments of plain pottery of uncertain type. The absence of labour precluded any attempt at trial excavation. To the north-west of the Mazär the wall-like rock face of the Köh-i-Sharrafí dominates the plain. A large mass of white limestone showing at an unscalable height of some 500 feet against the dark brown of the mountain face