Oriental Institute Museum

Visitors to the museum are given a glimpse into the fascinating world of ancient man. Three millennia of civilization in the ancient Near East saw the rise of mighty nations in Egypt, Anatolia, Mesopotamia and Iran. Smaller kingdoms, too, left traces for the archaeologists. To see the artifacts left by these people is to look back at the beginnings of some of mankind's most fundamental endeavors. Sculptures and relief carvings depict the people themselves, as well as their gods and goddesses. Monumental statues proclaim the glory of their kings. 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.