Letter from Captain Thomas John Newbold to Sir George Thomas Staunton in which he writes that he is returning to India after two years in Syria, Palestine and Asia Minor. The fine climate of Syria has improved his health. He intends returning to India through Persia. He sends with the letter copies of inscriptions to be presented to the Royal Asiatic Society. He writes to warn that a parcel of his had been lost last December. He writes of his thoughts on archaeology after the success of Messrs Layard and Botha at Nineveh. Please note that part of this letter is over-written by Newbold - the writing being both horizontally and vertically on the page.

Letter from David Stronach to John Hansman, concerning his forthcoming excavations. Stronach writes about sponsorship of the dig. He also thanks for illustration proofs. In a handwritten postscript Stronach writes that he has sent Hansman's letters and form to Karl through a member of the dig.

Letter from Max Mallowan to John Hansman to send a copy of Mallowan's "Elamite Problems" (not included). He writes that he is interested to hear about Hansman's plans for excavations and suggests he tries to persuade David Stronach to be involved. He also suggests that Hansman sends him the paper that he wants examining in late summer. The letter is complete but the piece of paper is partially missing.

Notes on the Ancient Figures and Inscriptions from Márab sent to the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society by George Smythan, and resented by The President of the Society, John Wilson. A description and analysis of inscriptions on stones found by Dr A. Mackell at the town of Márab or Sábá, believed to be the seat of the Queen of Sheba. Four stones were found, two of which were acquired and facsimiles made for the others. Mackell believed the inscriptions were more Ethiopic in character. Wilson compares these inscriptions with ones found by J.G. Hulton and J. Smith (see Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, vol.5, 1838, p.91). Wilson however suggests these may be of Sabean origin. The article is dated 28 November 1836 with a postscript, dated 2 December 1839, concerning Wilson's reluctance to have his findings published.

With the article are three lithograph sheets showing the figures and inscriptions.

Notes and drawings. These are:

• "Additional notes by David in the Register" concerning a wool kilium
• Plan of "Vertical section (unfinished) of vault on Mound 4"
• Plan labelled 67/IV/5
• Drawing on tracing paper of positioning of human remains. Mound 4
• Plan on tracing paper of [settlement]
• Drawing on tracing papers of "View of arches Mound 4 Room 3"
• Plan of "Vault on Mound IV, Vertical section. Room"

The Papers of Alexander Johnston consists of manuscripts written by Johnston, commissioned by him, or simply presented by him to the Society. These are:

• Portfolio of material donated by Sir Alexander Johnston to the Royal Asiatic Society
• 'A Summary of the Principle Evidence for the Truth, Divine Origin of the Christian Revelation' by Beilby, Lord Bishop of London, translated J.G. Philips & C. de Saram into Sinhalese.
• "Moses in the Bulrushes - A Sacred Drama" and "Joseph" by Hannah More, translations in Sinhalese.
• Report on tumuli or barrows in the Sardis region (Turkey) by George Hale.

Hodgson used much of his time in both Nepal and Darjeeling in research, wanting to discover and understand about the architecture, languages, ethnography, religion, zoology and botany. He collected specimens and manuscripts, and had many drawings made, which he donated to many collections throughout Europe. He was also politically involved during his Residency in Nepal, and also later in England, when he continued to show an active interest in the Indian subcontinent, particularly regarding trade and vernacular education. These Personal Papers reflect these interests and are a record of much of his activity - Hodgson and his wives seemed to have a need to record all his successes. He was also a keen annotator of material, so that most of the printed material also bears his handwritten comments.

These Papers consist of items collected or made by Henry Harkness. They include copies and rubbings of inscriptions, a Commentary on Aryabhatta theorems made by Dikshitan & Ellayan, an abridged Treatise on Mirkum, or Logic, Manusyâlaya-candrikā and Fourteen Chapters of the Suryasiddhanta with Commentary, and the names of the Divinities of the Zodiac.

Copy of the 'Notes of Excavation at Muqeyer during January and February 1858'. A handwritten manuscript with pencil drawings describing Taylor's excavations at Tell el-Muqayyar, Iraq, in ancient times known as Ur. This is a description of later excavations, not those first written about by Taylor (wrongly attributed as J.E. Taylor) in the 1855 Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, under the title Notes on the Ruins of Muqeyer.

These Papers are mainly concerned with excavations undertaken by David Stronach and John Hansman at Šahr-e Qumis in 1971 and 1976, and by David Stronach at Pasargadae in 1963. There is also the manuscript for Hansman's book, "Julfār, an Arabian Port", and more recent correspondence between Hansman and RAS Archivist, Nancy Charley.