The general disposition of the Sasanian ruins at Qaṣr-i-Shîrîn has been given by M. de Morgan, and the plan of the two principal buildings, the palace of Khusrau and the palace (if palace it were) of Chehâr Qapû, both of which I examined, appear in the same volume.[45] It is quite possible that the ruins may have suffered to a certain extent during the years which elapsed between M. de Morgan’s visit and my own, and this may account for the omission in my plans of some features which are shown by him. Nowhere did I observe stucco decorations in so good a state of preservation as that which is depicted in his Figure 208. I have, however, compared my photographs with those published by him and found no very noticeable differences. Moreover, it will be observed that such details as are absent from my plans are usually indicated hypothetically on those of the French mission, and it is therefore doubtful how much of them was actually seen and how much was conjectural. A very little excavation would determine whether these conjectures are correct. It is much to be regretted that I had not the French plans with me, as I might have been able to form some more definite opinion as to the value of the proposed restorations. As it is I must content myself with recording that which I saw above ground. THE PALACE OF KHUSRAU The larger edifice, which is known as the palace of Khusrau (i.e. Chosroës II, Parwêz, A.D. 590-628), is not built upon a single level. The central part is raised above the plain by means of a solid platform of earth some 3 metres high. The terribly ruined state of the buildings made it difficult to take elevation measurements which should approach to accuracy; I have therefore endeavoured to give a correct impression of the structures upon the two levels by reproducing the plan in two parts. In the one (Plate 53) the upper rooms and courts are given; the uncovered areas on the upper level are lightly tinted, the covered rooms are dotted, while the buildings on the lower level are shown only in outline. In the other (Plate 54) the upper level is left in outline and the covered and open areas of the lower level are fully indicated.