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
an anthropological study of this ancient popu. lation, in order to research into its somatic characteristics and as far as possible reconstruct its origins. Tbe osteological examination of the material coming from tbe burials was begun in 1973, and right ÂŁrom tbe be.gjnning tbe opportunity was taken of carrying out togetber witb this examination the antbropological study of the present population of Sistan, to check whetber there was some 1ink of resemblance between tbe ancient and tbe present-day population. For this reason tbe IsMEO mission in Sistan devoted itself during 1974 principally to the sYstematic study of the Sistan population. Anthropological, anthropometrical, haemotypological and physiological, as well as ethnological and ethnographical, data were collected on over 400 individuals of both sexes coming from various localities in Sistan. Altbough tbe ("yaminationof this data is still in a preliminary phase, it does not seem rash to affirm tbe composite nature of the Sistan population, whose heterogeneity may be increased as a result of frequent endogamy within tbe village or tbe fami1y group. This phenomenon on the one band makes the anthropological definition of the Sistan ethnic group more difficult, and requires wider-reaching and more tborough analyses. On tbe otber band, it turns oot to be of particular importance, because it enables us to see how geographic and cultural isolation can influence the ethnic characteristics of a population. For tbe above-mentioned reasons, apart from tbe tbeoretical antbropological link between tbe ancient and tbe present-day populations of Sistan, the anthropological research on this people is of considerable importance and acquires a particularly urgent nature because of tbe phenomenon of transformation to which it is rapidly becoming subject. Archaeological Mirrion in Afghanistan
During October-November 1974 the Archae. ological Mission in Mghanistan carried oot a study and survey campaign at Ghazni. The merobers of tbe mission were as follows: Prof. Maurizio Taddei, field direcror, Dr Giovanni Verardi, archaeologist, Mr Manlio Valentini, assistant, Mr Nicola Labianca, draughtsman, Mr Enzo Pagliani and Mr Elio Paparatti, restorers. Mr M. Ehsan Aram was assigned to tbe mission in tbe capacity of collaborator on behalf of the Afghan Institute of Arcbaeology, while Mr Ghulam Naqshband of Ghazni gave assistance as foreman and supervisor.
Tbe activity of tbe mission was particularly devoted to tbe attempt of actual recomposition and of tbe ideaI reconstruction of the sculptural decoration in unbaked day of chapel no. 17 at Tapa Sardar. During a brief survey an ancient monastic complex was identified, excavated in tbe rock at tbe eastem limits of the DaSt-i Tamaki, an area about 45 km. nortb of Qarabag-i Gazni. Tbe complex is known locally by the name of Homay Qal"a (ligs. 7-9). Tbe extremely high degree of wind erosion and tbe fall of entire blocks of rock bave caused serious damage to the compieteness of the site as a whole, and without special equipment it is not possible to visit all tbe grottoes, which open on to three sides of a trapezoidal-sbaped gorge which cuts into tbe huge mass of sandstone. Tbe grottoes open on to various floor levels and some &re at a considerable height. As far as we could jUdge by visiting tbe right-band side, tbe only one which is easily accessible, tbey are monastic cells, rectangular in plan, with parabolic "vaults", connected by means of corridors and by stairs which give accesa to tbe upper grottoes. In tbe grottoes, which today &reused as shelters by nomads and bave a compietelyblackened aspect, there do not seem to be traces of decorative elements. It is the presence of tbe stairs which constitutes tbe most peculiar fact at Homay QaIea, since tbey &re completely missing in tbe otber monastic complexes, such as at Fil-\}ana and at Basawal, which in other senses are the nearest terms of compariscn (cf. S. MIzuNo, ed., HazarSum and Ftl-Khana, Kyoto, 1%7; ID., Barawal and Jelalabad-K4bul, Kyoto, 1971). Tbe mission collaborated with the architect, Dr Orazi (see paragraph on Restoration Work) in tbe pyamination oÂŁ tbe structures of tbe Timurid Mausoleum of MuI}ammadSarif ]jĂ n, and tbey saw to tbe job of buttressing and to the temporary reinforcement of parts of the painted plaster which were in danger. Tbe restoration of tbe objects and the maintenance of tbe monuments proceeded regularly both at Tapa Sardar and in the Palace of Mas"iid II!. 1
i Archaeological Mirsion in Pakirtan
In Septerober-October 1974, in collaboration with tbe Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics, University of Trieste (Director, Prof. A. Marussi), the Italian ArchaeologicaiMission of IsMEO resumed its excavations in tbe protohistoric setderoent of Aligrima in tbe Swit Valley. The Mission consisted of tbe fie1ddirector, Prof. Gior478
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