Mesopotamia, an ancient Greek term meaning "the land between rivers," is considered to be the cradle of civilization because this is where we find the origins of agriculture, written language, and cities.Chosen from the Mesopotamian collection of the Oriental Institute Museum of the University of Chicago, this website tells the story of ancient Mesopotamia now present-day Iraq — a story shared by all humans. Learn more about Life in Mesopotamia.
Explore! View artifacts from ancient Iraq, the cradle of civilization.
Life in Mesopotamia
Learn about the ancient Mesopotamians and how they helped shape life as we know it today.
Interactives
Examine artifacts in-depth and see interviews with archaeologists.
Dig Into History: Mesopotamia
Go on an archaeological dig and explore ancient sites in Iraq!
Learning Collection
Zoom in on teacher-selected artifacts from the Oriental Institute Museum to learn what they can tell us about ancient Mesopotamia.
Teaching Materials
Integrate primary resources into classroom study with lesson plans and activities.
About This Project