Nineveh and its Remains: A Narrative of an Expedition to Assyria During the Years 1845, 1846, & 1847.  Austen Henry Layard, D.C.L, 1876
Sir Austen Henry Layard offers a vivid firsthand account of his pioneering 1845–1847 expeditions to Mesopotamia, during which he unearthed the long-buried palaces of the Assyrian Empire. This narrative, foundational to modern Assyriology, records the dramatic discovery and excavation of sites such as Nimrud and Kuyunjik, capturing both the immense logistical challenges of transporting colossal stone monuments and Layard’s intricate diplomatic negotiations with local tribes. A central highlight is the discovery of the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, a six-foot-tall black limestone monument found lying on its side some ten feet below the surface. Layard's illustrations offered the first widely accessible visual evidence of Assyrian life, military campaigns, and biblical figures, including the famous scene of King Jehu of Israel paying tribute to the Assyrian ruler. These renderings of colossal winged bulls, intricate bas-reliefs, and exotic animals transformed the ruins into a vivid pictorial record that bridged the gap between ancient myth and tangible history.
 
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