Innermost Asia : vol.2 / 445 ページ（カラー画像）

0445	Innermost Asia : vol.2
極奥アジア : vol.2

ribbons. The whole of this decoration, like the figures below, clearly suggested a strong Hellenistic
influence. Remains of the same or a closely similar decoration could be traced also at other places
on both inner and outer walls, but far less clearly. Such painted plaster surface as had survived
on the wall portions that were cleared of the later masonry was too much effaced or broken to
permit designs to be recognized with certainty. But it may be mentioned that some 5 feet beyond
the composition above described a curving portion of a large festoon-like ornament, marked by
a succession of differently coloured bands, could be made out. Small leaf-like shapes were visible
both above and below this festoon (?), but the significance of the scheme was not clear.

The clearing of the debris above the SW. end of the corridor showed that the right-hand side Decorated
of the doorway k leading into the chamber viii was decorated below with a panel in hard plaster plaster
of Paris. This showed a sunk pattern of geometrical design as seen in the drawing, Pl. 54. The panel.
grooves in the sunk surface retained traces of red colouring. The doorway was filled with brick-
work to above the level of the panel and this had helped to protect the latter. The plaster of Paris
covering had extended below the panel down to the floor. There is nothing to prove that this
stucco decoration is contemporary with the construction of the chamber where it was found, and
it looks decidedly later than the mural painting on the original wall of the corridor below. That
the corridor must belong to the earliest portion of the ruins is quite certain from its position beneath
the terrace which bears the central cella v, upon which the whole of the quadrangle with the
structures surrounding it is aligned. How remote may be the period when that mural decoration
was executed it is impossible at present to determine. But if the distinctly Hellenistic appearance
of the design of the two facing figures is considered, together with the architectural detail of the
terrace wall (the Doric capitals of the columns hidden behind the buttresses), it seems difficult
to avoid the conclusion that the construction of the central part of the ruined site dates back to
early Sasanian times.

SECTION IV.—REMAINS ON THE HILL-TOP

Outside the northern face of the circumvallation the slope rises rapidly towards the foot of Tombs on
the precipitous cliffs (Fig. 458) that line the hill-top on this side as along most of its edge. Wherever slope behind
the slope permitted construction, small terraces are found here, roughly built with stones and Ghāgha-
occupied by superterrene tombs. Thus an extensive cemetery encircles the walled area. Most of shahr.
these tombs appeared to be correctly orientated after Muhammadan custom. Generally the flat
stones placed above the low stone walls had fallen in and allowed remains of bleached bones to
be seen. Some of these closely packed groups of tombs lie quite near the torrent beds down which
occasional rain finds its way along both sides of the circumvallation. The revetments or bands of
large slabs which are to be seen here and there along and within these beds are more likely to have
been placed there to prevent tombs being undercut and washed away than for the purpose of
catching rain-water.

The edge of the plateau, which, where it is highest, rises approximately 200 feet above the Ruins of
topmost ruins of Ghāgha-shahr, is gained by a fairly well preserved road ascending along the Kok-i-Zāl.
cliffs over walled-up ramps (Fig. 463). In one place the bare rock face has to be climbed over a
height of about 20 feet. Following a natural ledge the road passes through what appears to
have been a stretch of roughly built stone wall, closing a dip in the rocky rim of the hill-top. The
height overlooking this dip from the NE. is occupied by the small walled ruin known as Kok-i-Zāl
(Fig. 474). The area enclosed by massive brick walls measures about 50 yards by 30, and comprises
a row of square vaulted apartments along the north-western wall and a congeries of small quarters,
also vaulted, on the side towards Ghāgha-shahr. There can be little doubt that this walled enclosure

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国立情報学研究所 - ディジタル・シルクロード・プロジェクト 『東洋文庫所蔵』貴重書デジタルアーカイブ

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