What's New

Discovery is back, again. Reserve your ticket now!

The OI Galleries are re-opening Tuesday, September 29. We have worked together with the University of Chicago to design a unique and safe visitor experience. Book your ticket today and enjoy the distinctive opportunity to have the OI collection to yourself for one hour!

Cat of the Month Calendar

We are happy to present you with a monthly digital calendar with our favorite images of cats from our collection! Sign up to receive the monthly email with downloadable images for your desktop, phone screen, or a printable version of the Cat of the Month calendar.

OI Centennial Profiled by ASOR

The Ancient Near East Today, Volume VIII, No. 8 (August 2020) profiled the OI centennial with an article by Theo van den Hout called "From 'An' to 'The': The OI at 100." The article is available online: http://www.asor.org/anetoday/2020/08/OI-at-100.

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/.

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.