The Description de l'Egypte was the outcome of the collaboration of more than 150 prominent scholars and scientists who accompanied Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798, and some 2000 talented artists and technicians.

For over 20 years, they systematically examined almost every aspect of contemporary and ancient Egyptian civilization, producing 20 volumes of text and plates of unmatched accuracy and detail. Historically the engravings became the most comprehensive record and inventory of Egypt's land and monuments.

Today, with the efforts of the BA International School of Information Science ISIS, the preservation of this valuable collection has been possible. The 11 plate volumes, owned by the Bibliotheca Alexandrine, and the 9 text volumes, owned by l'Institut d'Egypte, have been fully digitized, integrated on a virtual browser and made accessible to the public through this pioneering endeavor.