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

xviii INTRODUCTION farther north numerous ancient mounds invited trial excavations. These conclusively proved by the finds made that this elevated area, which in modern times and for centuries before has on the whole served only for migratory grazing of semi-nomadic Lür tribes, knew permanent occupation during the last two millennia before Christ if not earlier also. From approximately the same period dated the numerous burial grounds traced which had of late years furnished an abundance of those interesting 'Lüristän bronzes ' for the antique markets of the West. They all proved to have been systematically plundered by Lür searchers. But examination of the remains left behind as of no value provided useful indications as to the origin and approximate date of these much-discussed antiques. A series of great boldly planned bridges now in ruins spanning the Saimareh and its principal affluent offered special interest by their architectural features and by the inscriptional record which exactly dates them. They supplied striking evidence that this Písh-i-köh portion of Lüristän, which tribal anarchy had barred to peaceful traffic until the advent of the present strong regime, had yet during the early centuries of Islam been traversed by routes serving trade. By the beginning of June we emerged from Lüristän and at Kirmänshäh struck the ancient highway leading from Mesopotamia to the great central plateau of Media. Much of this area, important for its ancient remains, has become well known through earlier investigations. This led me to turn north-westwards to Persian Kurdistän for that elevated ground which consideration of climatic conditions indicated as suitable for the summer's field work.