1853 Discoveries in the Ruins of Nineveh and Babylon

Description

First Edition, Folding Maps, Illustrated, Publishers' Original Binding

The first edition of English Assyriologist, cuneiformist and historian Austen Henry Layard's account of his excavations at Nineveh and Babylon, where he uncovered a large number of Assyrian palace reliefs, and in 1851, the library of Ashurbanipal.

Illustrated with numerous vignette wood cuts, five folding plates and maps, and eleven engraved plates, including eight tinted lithographs.

Collated, complete.

Along with the archaeological accomplishment of identifying Kouyunjik as the site of the ancient city of Nineveh, Layard provides an extensive analysis of the ancient Assyrian world and its history, all while detailing the daily life and customs of the country.

With inscription to head of front free endpaper, and three loosely inserted newspaper clippings.

An excellent account of Layard's important second British Museum expedition in 1849, describing in detail the discoveries made, especially focusing on those concerning Assyrian artefacts.