1855 Jones Archeological Map of Nineveh and Mosul, Iraq

A striking 1855 ichnographic map of Mosul, Iraq, and the neighboring excavations at the ancient Assyrian capital of Nineveh. This map is significant, not only as one of the first modern surveys of Mosul, but also for its premier cartographic representation of the seminal archeological excavations at Nineveh performed by Austen Henry Layard. These excavations produced several paradigm-breaking discoveries, including the Epic of Gilgamesh and pre-Biblical 'Great Flood' narratives.

A Closer Look

This large and impressive map presents the first modern trigonometrical survey of the vicinity of Mosul. Coverage extends on both sides of the Tigris River, embracing both modern Mosul and the ongoing excavations at the ancient capital of Nineveh. The map is extensively annotated, with text appearing not only in English, but also in Greek, Arabic, and even Cuneiform (courtesy of Rawlinson). In addition, it notes roads, ravines, tombs and temples, and small villages - some as old as Nineveh itself. The mounds of Koiyunjik and Nebbí Yúnus, the primary focus of Layard's excavations are also noted. It is inscribed to Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, whose landmark linguistic discoveries decoded Cuneiform. Jones himself signs of on the map in the lower left, noting that it is an exact replica of his manuscript compiled in Baghdad in 1852. The border consists of overlapping chariots with the iconic profile bust of Assyrian King Sargon II appearing in each corner.

Nineveh

Nineveh was the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 705 - 612 BCE. During its penultimate period, Nineveh was the largest city in the world - note here how the ancient walls dwarf nearby Mosul, then as now a significant city. Nineveh also features in Biblical narrative, as well as in the Apocryphal texts, leading to its excavation being a major event in European circles who were eager to reconcile religious narrative with physical discovery. The great city fell into decline after the Assyrian Civil War (612 BCE) when it was sacked by a coalition of former subject peoples including the Babylonians, Medes, Persians, Scythians, and Cimmerians. Although it never recovered its former glory, Nineveh remained inhabited until the 13th century, when the economic, political, and population center shifted across the Tigris to Mosul.

Modern excavations in Nineveh date to about 1842, when French Consul General at Mosul, Paul-Émile Botta (180 2- 1870), began to search the ruined Nineveh mounds for treasure - although with little success. The British diplomat Austen Henry Layard (1817 - 1894), who began excavations in 1847, was more successful. Although his methods were crude by modern standards, focusing on unearthing impressive trophy pieces for the glory of the empire rather than historical preservation, he did make a series of astounding discoveries, including as noted above, coniform tablets containing, among other tales, the Epic of Gilgamesh, forming a near-complete ancient mythology that had long been forgotten.

Publication History and Census

This map was drawn by James Felix Jones in 1852. It was subsequently engraved and published in London by the house of J. and C. Walker. The map is the first of three produced by Jones. The second depicts another ancient Assyrian royal, Nimrud, some thirty kilometers downriver. A third - also offered by Geographicus - offers a general view of the archaeological landscape surrounding both excavations. All examples of these seminal maps are rare, both as a set and individually. We note examples of this map at Harvard, the University of Chicago, the University of Wisconsin, UCLA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Bibliothèque nationale de France, and Leiden University Library. We see no market history. This piece is owned jointly with Neatline Antique Maps.