Austen Henry Layard – Nineveh and its Remains: A Narrative of an Expedition to Assyria – 1873

A classic archaeological study of Nineveh and the surrounding area of Mesopotamia, in modern-day Iraq, researched and written in the late 1840s.

Layard was a British archaeologist and diplomat who spent extensive periods in the region, focussed on excavating and understanding the ruins of Assyria and Babylon, including the ancient settlements of Kuyunjik and Nimrud.

His acclaimed account was first published in 1849, and is illustrated throughout with sketches, maps and other illustrations of artefacts and findings. It prompted significant interest in the archaeology and history of the region, as well as in local contemporary cultures described by Layard.

This is an 1873 edition published by John Murray in London, in a full green calf prize binding. Decorative spine with gilt lettering against a burgundy compartment. Gilt borders to boards, marbled edges and endpapers.

Embossed stamp of the Oxford Dicosean Board of Education to front and rear boards, with bookplate to front pastedown, otherwise no other writing or marking inside. In very good condition. A few minor scratches and marks to boards, slight bumps to corners and mild rubbing to spine. Binding tight and square.