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

Chapter II. —In Kohgalu Tracts

Sec. i] B

ASHT TO KHAIRÄBÄD RIVER 63 upon an interesting ruin. A grass-covered mound which had attracted my attention from our track proved to contain the remains of a well-constructed Sasanian mansion showing peculiar architectural features (Fig. 17). To examine these in detail and to make a plan of the structure was not easy; for the passages and outside apartments enclosing a central hall still retained their vaultings, and the darkness was increased by fallen masonry and accumulated refuse blocking access of light and air. In consequence of this difficulty the details shown in Plan 7 cannot lay claim to complete accuracy. Debris from rough masonry put up to block certain doorways and separate portions of rooms, as well as other alterations, proved occupation at later times. The partly collapsed structure occupies raised ground, probably an artificial terrace, 5-6 feet high and approximately 60 yards square, orientated at the corners. On lower ground traces of a circumvallation with corner bastions are marked by heaps of stones. Beyond these a fosse about 9 yards wide is recognizable in a slight depression, edged in places with stone masonry. The centre of the structure is occupied by a room 14 feet square, which had carried a domed roof, now fallen. The walls of this room with the lowest extant portion of the dome rise to a height of 15 feet or so above the floor level of the adjoining passage in its present debris-covered state. The maximum height of the ruin above the ground-level outside is about 23 feet. The central room, A, is enclosed within a square passage or corridor, B, 6 feet wide, from which four doorways, each 4 feet wide, open into it, one in the middle of each side. The barrel-vaulting of the enclosing passage is F