78 
Coins from, the Ahin Posh Tope near Jeldlabad. [Maucb, 
character. This peculiar kind of masonry 
may have had the earthquakes of this 
country in view. The Ahin Posh Tope is 
externally of this kind of building, but 
through the whole 45 feet of masonry within, 
there was nothing but large water-worn boulders embedded in mud, and it 
was very hard work to dig them out. So when the men at last unbared some 
slate, I knew that the centre had been found. I was anxious to know 
exactly how it was arranged, and caused the stones to be cut out till I had 
gotr beyond it, and felt that there was no more slate either on its offside or 
at either end. I then lifted up a large slate about 3 feet long—beneath 
this was another large slate—and on raising it the central cell was opened. 
It was about 15 inches on each of its sides, I think it was intended for a 
perfect cube, about 15 courses of slate—I rather think it was 14 courses— 
I hope to measure it more perfectly. The most conspicuous object was the 
golden relic-holder. I had expected a jar with the ashes in it, but they 
simply lay on the bottom of the cell. The bottom being also slate—I 
could see one coin among the ashes, and as I began to gather them, coin 
after coin was found, till at last I counted 18 of them in all. 
“ There are some Roman coins among them, and one is of the reign of 
Domitian. This is important, as giving at least an approximate date to 
the Tope. That Emperor died 9G A. D., so the Tope cannot be dated 
earlier than that. I believe it is some centuries later. 
“ I am not up in coins, and we have no one here at the moment who can 
tell us about them, hut you will no doubt be able to get them all explained 
when they reach Calcutta, and I should feel obliged for any account of 
them that may be made. 
“ I have also given Major Cavagnari some unimportant copper coins 
and other objects found in the excavation. 
“ Tlie final destination of the coins &c. is a matter for Lord Lytton to 
determine. I would say either the Lahore Museum or the Indian Museum 
at South Kensington. Kindly point out to Lord Lytton that it would be 
as well to consider also where all sculptures and other archaeological finds 
should be sent for presentation, and where they would be of use to 
Archaeologists. 
“ I am now told that the exploration of the many topes we see here 
already opened was the work of Masson. Why he left such a prominent 
tope as the Ahin Posh one untouched I do not know. There is another 
very large one, it is 100 feet diameter, known as the “ Ummer Kheyl 
tope,” which I think is untouched, I feel now a very strong desire to 
have it opened. About three-fourths of the topes hereabouts have been 
