Nineveh and Its Remains:

With an account of a visit to the Chaldean Christians of Kurdistan, and the Yezidis, or Devil-worshippers; and an enquiry into the manners and arts of the ancient Assyrians

In Two Volumes - Volumes 1 & 2

by Austen Henry Layard

John Murray, 1854, [Sixth Edition], half-tone engraved frontispieces, fold-out maps, illustrative plates, decorative end-papers, decorative marble colour-tipped fore-edges, hardcovers with marbled boards and leather binding

Very Good Condition, both volumes have edge and shelf wear with rubbing and bumping to edges, corners and covers, small tear to top front of spine in volume 1, rubbing and wear to covers and spines (see photographs)

"Before abandoning archaeology for politics, Sir Austen Henry Layard (1817-94) carried out major excavations in Mesopotamia between 1845 and 1851, uncovering important evidence of ancient Assyrian civilisation. Although he originally believed that Nimrud was Nineveh, he later confirmed that Kuyunjik was the location of the ancient city. First published in 1849, this two-volume work is a mixture of excavation report, ancient history, anthropology and travel writing. Layard's excitement at the extent and importance of the finds as soon as digging commenced is clearly conveyed, and he places Mesopotamian history in the context of the more familiar biblical and classical worlds. His Discoveries in the Ruins of Nineveh and Babylon (1853) is also reissued in this series. Volume 1 covers the background to the excavations, the first discoveries, and the difficulties with Arab authorities and local workmen. Also included are observations on the inhabitants, culture and history of the region."