A century ago, UChicago scholars argued a controversial idea: Western civilization had its roots in the ancient Middle East—not in Greece or Rome. Today, scholars at the OI and across the University ...

Something about vanished civilizations grabs us by the collar and won’t let go. Here were societies that built monumental architecture, developed writing systems, engineered complex water networks, ...

Ancient civilizations left behind various symbols whose meanings and purposes remain partly unclear today. Researchers study archaeological findings historical context and recurring patterns to better ...