What's New

New Edition of Pioneer to the Past Now Available

The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago announces a new publication in print and online of a new edition of Pioneer to the Past: The Story of James Henry Breasted, Archaeologist, Told by His Son Charles Breasted. DOWNLOAD / PURCHASE

News & Notes 246 (Summer 2020) is now available

The OI announces the online publication of News & Notes 246 (Summer 2020). The theme for this issue is Love in Egypt. Download the full issue

News & Notes 245 (Spring 2020) is now available

The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago announces the online publication of News & Notes #245.

Join the OI on Social Media!

Join the OI on social media for enhanced, at home exploration! During these weeks of museum closure, we will use social media to bring the OI to you.

THE ORIENTAL INSTITUTE MUSEUM WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED

The Oriental Institute Museum will be temporarily closed. 

The health and safety of our community is of great concern to the University of Chicago and the Oriental Institute, particularly in light of the evolving situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). The OI has been working with the University, and we are carefully monitoring information and guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Chicago Department of Public Health. We are also taking appropriate measures to maintain a safe environment here at the OI. To this end, the OI Museum will be closed from 3/17–3/31, at which point we will reassess the situation. Please understand that this decision was made in the best interests of community health and safety and please check this website for any updates or changes. For additional information from the University on the coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit this website: https://coronavirusupdates.uchicago.edu/.

Conference on Sealing Theories and Practices in the Ancient Near East

The OI will host its sixteenth annual postdoctoral conference, organized this year by Postdoctoral Fellow Delphine Poinsot on "Sealing Theories and Practices in the Ancient Near East," on March 5–6, 2020. See conference webpage for full schedule and details.

Lecture by Martha Roth on Judicial Violence in Mesopotamia

Martha Roth will give a lecture about "On Judicial Violence in Mesopotamia: The Problem of an Eye for an Eye" on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 7:00 PM in Breasted Hall of the Oriental Institute.

Lecture by Felipe Rojas on Green Petra

Felipe Rojas will give a lecture about "Green Petra: Archaeological Assemblages in the City's Northern Hinterlands" on Tuesday, March, 10, 2020 at 1:00 PM in Breasted Hall of the Oriental Institute.

Lecture by Lorenz Rahmstorf & Nicola Ialongo about the Origin and Use of Weights

Lorenz Rahmstorf & Nicola Ialongo will give a lecture about "The Origin and Use of Weights and Hacksilver in the Bronze Age Near East" on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 3:30 PM in the LaSalle Banks Room of the Oriental Institute.

Lecture by Lee Clare on 25 Years of Research at Göbeklitepe

Lee Clare will give a lecture about "25 Years of Research at Göbeklitepe: A Summary of Past and Recent Results" on Monday, March 9, 2020 at 6:00 PM in Breasted Hall of the Oriental Institute.