larger than the first, could be traced, while that corresponding to the time of al-Muktadir would coincide with the one having the mud-brick perimeter wall. Without excluding that these events in the history of the monument may be, to some extent, confirmed as the research work continues, the information coming from another important source at least half a century earlier than al-MiifarrÙkhi, i.e. Abii Nu'ayim of Isfahan (948/1038) must also be taken into account. The data we get from Abii Nu'ayim (Geschichte Isbahans ..., ed. S. DEDERING,Leiden, 1931, p. 17) only roughly agree with those given by al-Miifarriikhi. Although any analysis of these data lies outside our present scope, it may be said, briefiy, that they lead us to suspect that the Arab-type mosque reached the limits today recognized in the mudbrick perimeter as early as the caliphate of alMu'tasim in 840-841, while the work carried out under al-Muktadir, for which the year is given, 908, refers mainly to extensions to annexes lying outside the mosque proper. The style of the stuccoes found in situ in the north area (cf. «IsMEO Activities », EW, XXIII, 1973, fig. 6) are not in contradiction with this interpretation. It is interesting to note that in the courtyard a fragment of paving consisting of large, onecubit kiln-fired bricks (52 X 52 X 6 cm.) has been found which we believe belongs to the Seljuq paving of the courtyard (fig. 2). As we suspected, the courtyard area, or at least its centraI portion, must have been relatively free from constructions even in the previous periodo In a trial trench dug at the foot of the northern end of the East Iwiin (129) for the purpose of ascertaining the state of the foundations we found a group of small kilns, one of which, probably dating back to the late Sassanian period, was relatively well preserved (fig. 1). Of considerable interest was a small jar embedded in the fioor, connected to one of the kilns and containing the bones of a boy, some of which are still anatomically connected. In the so-called Muzaffarid area the extent of the trials has enabled us to ascertain a fact of great interest: the area was occupied by constructions long before the Muzaffarids. In a period we temporarily date as between the Il th and 12th centuries this area was occupied at least on three sides by what seems to be a portico resting on round, baked-brick pillars, about 80 cm. in diameter (fig. 3), i.e. smaller than those of the mosque itself (92 cm. approx.). These pillars are not really in alignment with the corresponding ones in the mosque and are gradually but perceptibly staggered form west to east with respect to the present square ones. It is very unlikely that the 477
square pillars can be attributed to the Muzaffarid period; indeed, it appears that this hypothesis is to be ruled out completely. In the centraI area of this porticoed zone, which was probably originally open, a large fragment of paving composed of large baked bricks, 47.5X47.5x6 cm. in size, has been found in alignment with the mihràb. We believe it to belong to the Seljuq period' and, in any case, to be related to the originaI level of the flooring of the domed pavilion of Tag alMulk (476). The trial excavations carried out inside the pavilion of Tag al-Mulk have shown that, from the very beginning, it was definitely closed in on two sides. The good foundation work effected in limestone (fig. 4) is continuous where there is solid masonry, i.e. to the north and west, and is deliberately interrupted where there are the large openings. (This kind of building practice is found elsewhere in Iranian architecture, e.g. in the palace of Mas'iid III at Ghazni). The trials carried out at different heights by E. Galdieri (see further on) have shown that the two main façades of the pavilion were treated with niches having sculptured inserts and inscriptions, i.e. the south and east façades, as well as the inner façade of the Seljuq entrance (area 374) bearing a Muzaffarid inscription on the outside. Aiso the foundations of the above entrance structure are made of stone similar to that of the pavilion 486. Found below the originaI Seljuq fioor level of the Tag al-Mulk pavilion was a filling containing numerous potsherds much of which consisted of artificial-paste, Seljuq-type pottery which accompanies that having painted decoration under lead glazing, the latter being of rather inferior quality. The picture offered by this pottery is basically comparable to that found last year in the case of the pottery contained in the fillings of the foundation pits dug in the domed room of Ni?iim al-Mulk. As a variant, in the finds made under the fioor of the pavilion of Tag alMulk there is a great abundance of monochrome glazed green pottery with rather peculiar shapes, mostly small basins, pots and jugs. Aiso to be reported are a few fragments of Minai-type pottery of good workmanship coming, however, from an area outside the mosque perimeter (external 178) and much disturbed.
Anthropological
Mission in Sistan
In connection with the excavation of the inhabited area and of the vast necropolis of Shahr-i Sokhta, since the state of preservation of the human remains in many of the burials was quite good, the interesting problem arose of conducting