"zarang"in the early islamic centuries

using records and documents left by muslim geographers and historions, this article tries to rebuild the historical geography of zarang, now a buried islamic - iranian city and once the administrative center of the sistan region in southeastern iran. the aim of this reconstruction is to help archaeologists have access to the plan and approximate whereabouts of major facilities of the city before embarking on any new excavations.here, the historical background of the city plus major elements of its past outlook such as the number of city walls and gates, mosques, fire-temples, religious schools, palaces, prisons, bazaars, caravansaries, streets, houses, and the mint and the treasury have been explored and described. villages around the city and their irrigation system plus the water canals and gardens have been discussed as well.the article also deals with the natural and human causes of the decline of zarang and finally points out the geographical position of the city based on old geographical maps