Innermost Asia : vol.2 / 455 ページ（カラー画像）

0455	Innermost Asia : vol.2
極奥アジア : vol.2

Two observations are particularly instructive. One is the extreme copiousness of that fine Indications
regularly ribbed ware which is so common at Ghāgha-shahr and which can there be associated from
definitely with Sasanian times and probably also with a somewhat earlier period.¹ The second is pottery.
the fact that of glazed pottery fragments such as abound at all sites regularly occupied during
Muhammadan times, whether early or late, only very few could be found. On the other hand,
ornamented pieces such as are to be picked up at Shahristān with comparative frequency show
types of decoration which are altogether absent at the ruins of the numerous sites of the Muham-
madan period visited by me in Sīstān. The decorative motives used are of a type which, as far as
Sīstān is concerned, may be called archaic. For details of these patterns, which are either incised,
punched, or done in relief, I must refer to Mr. Andrews' analysis of the decorated specimens
described in the List at the end of this section.¹ᵃ Here, however, it deserves to be noted that neither
at Shahristān nor at Ghāgha-shahr did I come across a single piece of that painted prehistoric
pottery with which I had such ample opportunities of becoming familiar at wind-eroded sites in
the desert south of the present cultivated area of Sīstān, both before and after my survey of
Shahristān.

Only from systematic excavations could definite evidence be hoped for as to the period to Early period
which the earliest remains of the site go back and as to the length of time over which its regular of occupa-
occupation extended. The indications detailed above appear to me, however, sufficient to justify tion.
the belief that the occupation of Shahristān dates from historical times preceding Sasanian rule,
but may well have continued for some time during the latter. Subsequently, the ridge with its
crumbling fortifications may have on occasion served as a temporary place of refuge. But it is
very unlikely that after its final abandonment the site could ever have been permanently occupied
by more than a few huts, such as are now to be found there belonging to cultivators of recently
reclaimed jungle (Fig. 477).

Local tradition certainly ascribes great antiquity to the remains of Shahristān, but in spite of Alleged
inquiries made with due care and caution I failed to hear of the name 'Rām Shahristān' being identity
applied nowadays to the site. It is mainly on the strength of such a designation that Mr. Tate has with 'Rām
proposed to identify the site with the Rām Shahristān of which a passage of Istakhrī (tenth century Shahristān'.
A. D.) quoted by Sir Henry Rawlinson states that it was the ancient capital of Sīstān, then lying in
ruins and situated on the high road to Kirmān at a distance of three marches from Zaranj.² The
latter place, the early medieval capital, is, by common belief, and it seems rightly, located at
Nād-'Alī, about 12 miles to the north-east of Shahristān. Hence the distance, if correctly indicated,
clearly points to some site farther away to the south-west.³

From Shahristān I visited the remains known as Ātish-kadah or Ātish-gāh, 'the fire-temple', Site of
situated to the west of the village of Kimmak and at a direct distance of about 6 miles from the former Ātish-
site. They occupy the northern extremity of a narrow ridge of clay which rises quite detached, hadah.
like a Mesa, close to the wide belt of ground liable to inundation from the Rūd-i-Sīstān.⁴ The

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