three rows o f tombs placed over one another had been
dug out. There was once another town near here,
named Asjân, of which nought remains but a
few ruins, though when Leo wrote,1 (the translator
spelling the name Exaggen — Idreesi calls it Zaddjan)
it was o f some importance, and was fortified against the
Portuguese. The ruins are situated about two hours to
the N.E. of Wazzân, and are evidently those of a large
place. Part of the wall of immense concrete blocks is
still visible, as also are many of the houses, which are
nearly perfect, standing twenty to thirty feet high, though
the interiors are completely ruined.2 Idreesi says it was
famous for its wine, and that a Tuesday market was
held there. The wine business has been monopolised
by Wazzân, and the market on that day has been long
since abandoned.
1 Cir. 1525, Ed. Ram., p. 88. 1 S e e S p e n c e W a t s o n , p. 218.
