Oriental Institute Museum
Oriental Institute Museum
The Oriental Institute Museum will show you a fabulous afternoon exploring the wonders of the history, art and archaeology of the ancient Near East. An integral part of the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute, which has supported research and archaeological excavation in the Near East since 1919, the Museum exhibits major collections of antiquities from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Iran, Syria, Palestine, and Anatolia.
When you visit the Museum you will be given an incredible insight to daily life for in the world of ancient humans in this region of the world. Three millennia of civilization in the ancient Near East saw the rise of mighty nations in Egypt, Anatolia, Mesopotamia and Iran.
There were smaller kingdoms that left traces for the archaeologists to find of their existence and not much else. To see the artifacts left by these people is to look back at the beginnings of some of mankind's most fundamental endeavors.
Amazing sculptures and relief carvings depict the people themselves, as well as their gods and goddesses and even their mundane daily lives. Monumental statues proclaim the glory they gave their kings. There is a good collection of clay tablets, papyrus scrolls and inscriptions on stone show the development of their writing systems and document many aspects of their lives.
Objects used in daily life display their skill in decorative arts and reveal the refinement of their tastes. You will see hair brushes, dishes, sculptures, pitchers and so much more.
Interestingly, unlike many more widely known museum collections, whose objects were acquired by purchase, the majority of the artifacts in the Oriental Institute Museum were found as a result of archaeological excavations sponsored by the Oriental Institute. These excavated artifacts have an additional and special importance, not only because they are known to be authentic, but also because scholars gain scientific and historical information from the circumstances of their discovery. Be sure to visit this intriguing stop in Chicago the next chance you get to tour this fun venue.
The Oriental Institute Museum will show you a fabulous afternoon exploring the wonders of the history, art and archaeology of the ancient Near East. An integral part of the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute, which has supported research and archaeological excavation in the Near East since 1919, the Museum exhibits major collections of antiquities from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Iran, Syria, Palestine, and Anatolia.
When you visit the Museum you will be given an incredible insight to daily life for in the world of ancient humans in this region of the world. Three millennia of civilization in the ancient Near East saw the rise of mighty nations in Egypt, Anatolia, Mesopotamia and Iran.
There were smaller kingdoms that left traces for the archaeologists to find of their existence and not much else. To see the artifacts left by these people is to look back at the beginnings of some of mankind's most fundamental endeavors.
Amazing sculptures and relief carvings depict the people themselves, as well as their gods and goddesses and even their mundane daily lives. Monumental statues proclaim the glory they gave their kings. There is a good collection of clay tablets, papyrus scrolls and inscriptions on stone show the development of their writing systems and document many aspects of their lives.
Objects used in daily life display their skill in decorative arts and reveal the refinement of their tastes. You will see hair brushes, dishes, sculptures, pitchers and so much more.
Interestingly, unlike many more widely known museum collections, whose objects were acquired by purchase, the majority of the artifacts in the Oriental Institute Museum were found as a result of archaeological excavations sponsored by the Oriental Institute. These excavated artifacts have an additional and special importance, not only because they are known to be authentic, but also because scholars gain scientific and historical information from the circumstances of their discovery. Be sure to visit this intriguing stop in Chicago the next chance you get to tour this fun venue.
