'Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; with Journal of a Voyage down the Tigris to Bagdad and an Account of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis.' [‎141] (176/450)

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CH. XVIII.]
VARIOUS RUINS.
141
nation of the Khanuza hills on the right bank. The
interval between them and the Hamreen is filled with
a confusion of mounts, and debris, seemingly tossed
about in a most fanciful and unsightly manner. At
seven we passed a place called Musahhaj, or the
crumbled, and from hence the tops of several of the
mounts above mentioned wore the appearance as if
they were crowned with ruins. Through the glass
I could only descry indurated earth, and crumbling
sandstone. The people say it is a kalaa, or castle,
but none of them have ever been ashore here. The
remains, whether of nature or of art, cover many
separate mounts, and form the ridge or back-bone of
many sharp ones, where nothing but a single wall
ever could have been. There is in no part of the
hills space for houses or habitations, and the pre
tended remains are solid.
Proceeding on our way, we soon came to Tel
Hamlia, a small mount on the left bank, and Kalaat
ul Jebbar, or the tyrant's castle, on the right bank
of the river, a ruin a little way up the Hamreen,
consisting of some round towers, connected by plain
walls. Many vestiges of others were discernible,
extending nearly up to the top of the mountain.
These were merely inclosure walls, as of a city,
though the area was steep.
We stopped for breakfast at about half past eight
under the Hamreen hills, on the right bank, near
one hour below Jebbar, at which place it was impos-