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

Chapter II. —In Kohgalu Tracts

68 IN KOHGALU TRACTS [Chap. II but even those above indicated, together with the rough sketch plan, will suffice to show that the ruin of Chahär-deh presents a very instructive example of domestic architecture of Sasanian times. Of some other remains noted on the way to Dö-gumbadhän the briefest notes will suffice. On a rocky hillock about 5 furlongs to the north-west are found some small structures built with large stones and little mortar. One of these can be recognized as a mosque by its plastered prayer niche. A smaller rocky ridge about 900 yards farther west is crowned with decayed ruins of a fort, measuring about 35 yards square and showing traces of having been provided with small corner bastions. From the village of Dö-gumbadhän we proceeded on December 12th to visit the ruins of Shaikh Khwäja reported high up in a valley to the north-east. After a ride of about 4 miles, and before.reaching the mouth of the valley, we passed numerous indications of extensive former cultivation on the alluvial ground now almost entirely a scrub-covered waste. A trying ascent, mainly in a boulderfilled torrent bed, brought us at an elevation of more than 4000 feet to where the head of the valley opens out with terraces bearing remains of abandoned dwellings and old fields. A well-carved tombstone with a date which may be read either as A.H. 860 or 960 (A.D. 1456 or 1553) served to indicate the 15th16th century as the approximate period when this attractive high ground nestling under mountain walls rising up to 8000 feet was occupied. In the glen known as Namo there were to be seen, besides a perennial spring and a small orchard of fig trees, two fairly wellbuilt residences which may have served as summer quarters