This book is a historical sketch of archaeological explorations of the biblical lands of Assyria, Babylonia, Palestine, Egypt, Arabia and Hittite areas. It gives "a clear conception of the gradual resurrection of the principal ancient nations of Western Asia and Egypt."

The first volume (Assyria and Babylonia) is written by the editor, H. V. Hilprecht. The second volume (Palestine, Egypt, Arabia, Hittites) is written by four well-known German specialists. The book contains nearly 200 illustrations and four maps.