86 
DISCOVERY OF A TOMB. 
rock, similar to the one on which I stood, on which are the ruina of 
the Castle of Shahrek. It looks like an immense square turret placed 
on a tumulus. 
Being persuaded that nothing new was to be discovered north of the 
ruins of Persepolis, I directed my steps to the southward, and ranged the 
foot of the mountain for several miles on that bearing. On inspecting the 
first projection of the mountain, my eye was attracted by some square loose 
stones, evidently cut for the purposes of masonry, that were strewed 
on the acclivity; and on turning the angle of the projection I was sur¬ 
prised to see a tomb, similar to the two on the mountain, except that 
it was much more decayed, not so ornamented, and without any ap¬ 
pearance of an entrance. The upper part of the front is built with 
square stones, similar to those which first caught my eye ; the re¬ 
mainder is cut into the rock. What makes it most rem.arkable is a 
collection of large stones, which seem to have been purposely so placed 
before it, in intricate avenues, as to form a labyrinth, which there is 
reason to suppose, from the many fragments in its vicinity, was roofed 
with stone, and then covered over with earth. No other part of the 
monument, therefore, was intended to be seen, except the square front 
on which the figures are sculptured; and we may thence conclude, that 
these tombs were never entered but in a secret manner, and that the 
avenues to them were through subterraneous passages, but so con¬ 
structed that none but the privileged could find their way through 
them. This would be confirmed by Chardin’s adventures in the sub¬ 
terraneous passages, which doubtless were the avenues to the tombs. 
I am not aware that the description of this tomb exists in any book 
of travels; and considering its peculiarities, which throw a new light 
upon the nature of these curious monuments, the discovery of this may 
be called fortunate. 
On the 4th of May I despatched several fragments of sculpture 
to the Ambassador. Of other antiquities I was only fortunate enough 
to procure some arrow-heads, which were brought to me by the 
peasants, who find them in ploughing, or in their rambles with 
their flocks on the mountains. Of these there are two sorts; 
