Lieut. Mign^n's Account of the liuiiis of Ahwaz. 205 



medan.* In every direction I met with vast heaps of circular flat stones 

 perforated in the centre, apparently used for the purpose of grinding 

 grain, though rather colossal for such a purpose, as they generally 

 measured four, five, and six feet in diameter, and some exliibited cha- 

 racters upon them. The above-mentioned mound extends as far as the eye 

 can reach, varying in height and breadth, and is the first in magnitude 

 upon the plain. To the west of this is a mound entirely of stone, fifty 

 feet high and twenty broad : here are several flights of steps, which may, 

 without difiiculty, be traced to its summit; although they are much 

 mutilated, and injured by exposure to the atmosphere. 



About a mile to the east, separated by a deep ravine, stands an im- 

 mense pile of materials, consisting of stone, brick, and tile of various 

 colours. The Arabs who accompanied me called it the Kasr (^), or 

 palace. Its ascent is gradual but fatiguing, from the numerous furrows 

 which have been apparently worn by water on its passage. The height is, 

 at the lowest estimate, one hundred and fifty feet from the plain below. 

 On the summit are many floorings of stone, as fresh as if only recently laid 

 down ; together with several rounded troughs, some of which were of 

 Persepolitan marble in its rough state. From numerous cavities we started 

 large flocks of jackals, and I found a number of porcupine quills strewed 

 in every direction. I discovered that it was impossible to descend on the 

 opposite side, as it was nearly perpendicular, and exhibited many frightful 

 chasms. At the base of this mound the camel's thorn {cSj^ J-^b is plen- 

 tiful, and from its green appearance considerably relieved the landscape 

 the general dreariness and sterility of which is gloomy beyond con- 

 ception. The Kasr is about three miles from the east bank of the 

 river. From this edifice I proceeded to a mound about half a mile distant 

 in a north-westerly course. Its form was circular, measuring two hundred 

 yards. At its base I traced a wall of masonry for twenty-one feet, the face 

 of which is perfect and unbroken, and appears to have been the front of 

 some building. The face opposite to that by which I ascended joins 

 another ruined heap, covered with fragments of glazed tile, a coarse kind 

 of crystal, pieces of alabaster, and bits of glass. 



• I believe Cufic coins have also been found in the ruins. 1 purchased a gold one, but will 

 not vouch for its having been dug up there : it is nearly one thousand years old, and is as fresh 

 in appearance as if just from the mint. 



