One significant archaeological find that helped to explain the history of the Assyrians was the discovery of the library of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh, Iraq, in the mid-19th century. This collection of over 30,000 clay tablets included a wealth of information in cuneiform script, including historical texts, administrative records, and literature, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh. The library provided crucial insights into Assyrian culture, politics, religion, and daily life, allowing historians to better understand the Assyrian Empire's organization, achievements, and interactions with neighboring civilizations, shedding light on an important chapter in ancient Near Eastern history.