نسخة مذيلة من "بلاد فارس والشأن الفارسي" بقلم جورج كرزون، مع أوراق مدرجة [ظ‎‎٥‎٩‎٨] (١٨١٤/١٢١١)

196
PEHSIA
place in the chapter of things that have ceased to be ; and its mute
stones find a voice, and address us with the ineffable pathos of
ruin.
Note on Ruins still to be excavated in Persia
I may not unfitly append to a chapter on the chief antiquarian remains in
Persia a note upon the sites, still unexplored or inadequately explored, that seem
especially to invite the excavator’s concern. The attention of archeologists has
long been concentrated upon other countries, upon the tombs of Egypt or the
mounds of Mesopotamia. And yet I think that Persia still contains, and may
some day yield up, no mean increment of spoil. The sites which I commend for
such future investigation are the following :—
1. Persepolis. —The principal buildings have been exposed, but no student
will feel satisfied until the entire platform has been laid bare. The great mound
between the Hall and the Palace of Xerxes needs careful examination by means
of transverse trenches, if not bodily removal. In other parts of the platform are
many yards’ depth of rubbish. Not till such a painstaking scrutiny has been
applied can we be certain of our data. It may solve many disputed problems
touching roofs, tiles, colouring, and walls.
2. Naksh-i-Rustam.—T he artificial elevation on which the so-called Fire-
temple stands, opposite the cliff, needs thorough examination. All mounds in
this neighbourhood should be similarly tested. Thus only can we settle the
doubt raised by Diodorus and revived by Stolze, and ascertain whether there ever
was a citadel of Persepolis as distinct from the palace-platform. By these means,
also, we might hope to add to our very scanty knowledge of the ancient city of
Persepolis, or Istakhr.
3. Susa.—E xcavations should be carried down into the great mound far below
the level of M. Dieulafoy’s discoveries and of Achsemenian trophies. Susa, which
was the capital of several dynasties before Cyrus, ought to resemble Hissarlik in
its superincumbent layers of ruin ; and the expenditure of a few thousand pounds
—possibly of a few hundreds—might shed an incalculable light upon the dark
riddles of Elam.
4. Mal Amir.—I have argued in the text that no site in Persia is more likely
to repay thorough exploration and copying of inscriptions than this. Archaeology
has never yet had a fair field in the Bakhtiari mountains.
5. Rhey. —The mounds of Rhey, though at a distance of only six miles from
the capital, have never been scientifically explored. Indeed, it is not yet known
for certain whether they represent the site of Rhages or not. They are rich in
minute fragments of Arabic ruin, and an ampler and earlier spoil may well lie
below. The same remarks apply in a less degree to the mounds of Veramin.
6 . Ecbatana.—I f Hamadan be indeed the Ecbatana of the ancients, some
less contemptible records of its splendour should be discovered than those which
have hitherto been brought to light. A thorough examination should be made of
its environs, particularly of the elevation known as the Musalla.
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