Lieut. Mignan's Account of the Ruins of Alncaz. 207 



them for a great distance in successive rows in small dry rivulets; and 

 placed so firmly together, that it would have occupied the labour of several 

 days to have removed any of them. The Arabs are always digging up and 

 removing stones for the purpose of building, yet their expenditure has been 

 nothing when compared to the vast quantities of stone and brick that are 

 scattered about. Probably they have excavated a space of a hundred yards, 

 but certainly to no greater extent : which is a proof how abundant the 

 hewn stone is, for there is not a house in the town built of any other 

 material. I am perfectly convinced that as large a city as any now existing 

 might be erected from the ruins that I saw.* The ruins of Ahwaz extend 

 also for a considerable distance on the west bank of the river in a northerly 

 direction, exhibiting the same appearance as the mounds on the east side ; 

 though the former are not to be compared with these in point of magnitude. 

 The bund that was thrown across appears to have nearly connected the city 

 together ; but as there is abundant room for conjecture, and much ground 

 for idle supposition, it is better and wiser merely to state what is visible : 

 this I have attempted to do, though perhaps with a feeble pen. Never- 

 theless, whatever our opinions may be regarding this once famous capital of 

 a flourishing province, we must concur in ranking it lower in point of 

 antiquity than either Persepolis or Susa, to say nothing of the mighty 

 Babylon ; or how could we persuade ourselves that Alexander the Great, 

 strict and attentive in observation as enterprizing and successful in war, 

 should have navigated the Karun and have made no mention of the city, 

 when comparatively insignificant towns attracted his notice. I repeat, it is 

 my firm opinion and belief that this city, now one vast heap of ruins, was 

 erected long since the days of the above-named illustrious warrior. 



To conclude : it must ever be a subject of deep regret that the difficulty 

 of exploring the remains of any spot of antiquity should be heightened by 

 the passions of a people disposed to turbulence and riot. The desolation 

 which, under the influence of a barbarous government, has for years been 

 advancing over Susiana, one of the finest provinces of the east, whether as 

 to soil and chmate, or as to aptitude for commercial intercourse, irresistibly 

 presses on the mind the mutability of earthly dignity ; it made me tremble 



* I was prevented examining the other mounds, that extend to the verge of the horizon, from 

 not being able to procure a horse or a mule, although I offered a large sum for the hire of one ; 

 most likely the Sheikh did not deem it safe, from the disturbed state of the country. 



