Daoism Excavated explores issues of cosmogony and cosmology, notably the understanding and political application of oneness in the light of newly excavated Daoist manuscripts. They include the Hengxian, Taiyi shengshui, Fanwu liuxing, and the Four Classics of the Yellow Emperor as well as the various new finds of Laoziversions from Guodian, Mawangdui, and the Peking University Han edition.

The work is meticulous and examines character variants and specific phrases in great detail, opening new understanding and powerful insights into the thinking and dynamics of early Daoist masters.