Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Building

Address: 1155 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA (University of Chicago)

Website: https://isac.uchicago.edu/

Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mondays (check site for updates)

Admission: Museum admission (University of Chicago ISAC/Oriental Institute Museum): approx. $15 adults; check university site for discounts

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is an academic research institute and museum at the University of Chicago focused on the archaeology and history of West Asia and North Africa; it was long known as the Oriental Institute.

The institute maintains archaeological collections and a public museum that displays artifacts from excavations and fieldwork across the ancient Near East, supporting both specialist research and public education. Exhibits include pottery, sculpture, inscriptions and daily-use objects from a range of ancient cultures.

Founded in 1919 by James Henry Breasted, the institute has operated as a centre for fieldwork, publication and teaching in ancient studies for the University of Chicago.

The institute and its museum are located on the University of Chicago campus in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, with public access to the museum galleries and nearby campus transport links.

• Founding and former name: Originally founded in 1919 as the Oriental Institute, the organization conducts archaeological research and houses a public museum of artifacts from West Asia and North Africa.

The Institute is on the University of Chicago campus, a short walk from the 58th Street Metra/CTA stations (e.g., the 55th-Cermak bus and nearby L stops). Street parking is limited; public transit is recommended.

• Allow time for the reinstalled galleries of Mesopotamia and Egypt - the Institute's artefacts reward slow looking.
• Check academic lecture schedules; public talks are frequent and offer context often missing from labels.
• Buy tickets in advance for popular temporary exhibitions to avoid queues.