NINEVEH AND ITS REMAINS: With an Account of a Visit to the Chaldaean Christians of Kurdistan, and the Yezidis, or Devil Worshippers; and an Enquiry Into the Manners of the Ancient Assyrians.

London: John Murray, 1849. 2 volumes. First Edition, slugged "sixth thousand", but first edition sheets. Extensively illustrated with approximately 100 full-page, folding, double-page and other fine engravings, building plans and maps. 8vo, publisher's original rose cloth with black Assyrian decorations and title designs on the covers and spines in an all-over pattern. xxx, 399; xii,495, 16 ads. dated October 1849. An unusually well preserved set, internally nearly as pristine. The rose cloth bindings are age mellowed slightly, but have survived quite beautifully, the spine panels still essentially without fading or mellowing. In two separate trips, Layard was the first to discover and excavate the ancient city of Ninevah. This volume is the record of the initial discovery and excavation of the site. Layard’sexcavations would bring a greater understanding of the origins of civilization.
An extensive and detailed description and interpretation of Layard’s excavations and Ninevah. Maps and engravings illustrate not only the physical site and remains, they also illustrate the excavation itself. Layard’s work is of special interest for he translated the cuneiform script of the region-- a very new area of study at the time and still subject to argument and revision. Translation of the cuneiform text would open up a new understanding both in the archeology of the region and its importance to ancient classical scriptures.