‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎166v] (337/722)

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about 250 feet in circumference, one can plainly see how the mines have got
to their present ruinous state.
It is apparent that the mines were formerly well directed. Vertical shafts
were cut into the rock for the purpose of lighting and ventilating the mines
whilst the entrance to the mine was by lateral galleries driven in on the
slope of the mountains. Schindler thinks it very probable that the mines
were as late as the first quarter of the last century worked by the gov
ernment. The mines were then, when the Safavian dynasty came to an
end, neglected, and left to the people of the village, or perhaps, as now,
farmed to them. The farmers only thought of getting a quick return for
their money, and cut away the rock wherever they saw any turquoises,
exactly as they do at the present day. The result was that the supporting
pillars and the rock between the different shafts were cut away, and the
roof, so to say, of the whole mine fell in, filling it up. The three above-
mentioned mines have been filled up like this. An estimate of the original
depth of the Zaki mine can be formed from its present depth, which is only
to the surface of the formerly superincumbent roof, and from a shaft
or burrow dug into the rubbish of the old mine. This burrow commences
where the fallen-down roof begins at a depth of 6U feet from the mouth of
the mine, and goes down for about another 60 feet vertical. At the end of
this burrow, 120 feet below the mouth of the mine, there are still no signs
of the original old mine. Several attempts have been made to clear this
mine ; but up to now no one has had the will to provide the necessary funds,
or the patience to wait till the completion of the work. The turquoises
of the “ White Valleyare also very good; but not so good as those of the
Abdurizayi. Many turquoises, generally small, are found in the rubbish of
the old mines; they are much prized for their good colour. The mouth of
the Mfrza Ahmadi mine, which once probably formed part of the Zaki
mines, lies about 80 feet lower than that of the Zaki mine, and goes down
80 feet vertical. It has also very good turquoises; but working in it is very
precarious, on account of the bad state of the galleries and the amount of
loose rubbish they contain. The next valley is the Dara-i-Dar-i-Kuh * In
it are several very important mines,—the Karbalai Karuni, the Dar-i-Kuh,
and others. The Dar-i-Kuh mine is very deep, going down some 150 feet
vertical. It is an old and very extensive mine, and some of its galleries
extend as far as the Zaki mine. It is very dangerous, on account of the
amount of rubbish it contains. The rubbish is badly propped up by stones
and small sticks, and several labourers have, at times, been buried in it. One
of its galleries, called the Daneki, goes for about 100 feet through rubbish,
the width of this gallery is about from 1 to 2 feet, its height not more; and
the descent down it very dangerous. Only three or four of the miners have
the courage to go into this gallery. Some galleries of this mine are com
pletely filled up, and could only be cleared at great expense and with difficulty.
Above the mine can be seen many shafts, which formerly lighted and ven
tilated the mine, but are now filled up. All the mines in the Dar-i-Kuh
valley are worked, and contain good turquoises.
Further west is the Dara-i-Siah, the “ Black Valley,” with'the old An
Mirzaf and the Reish mines. The Ah Mfrzai, particularly the lower one of
that name, is very dangerous. The rock is very soft and much disintegrated.
It often falls and fills up the mine. A part of this mine is called the
Bi-rah-ru, “ the shaft without a road,'’'’ to go down into which is very
* “ Dara-i-dar-i-Kuh,” probably “ The Valley of the Eiches of the Mount In.”