Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africa

This University of Chicago–run archaeological treasure trove is on par with Indiana Jones’s fantastical findings. Going as far back as 6,000 years, artifacts include a fragment of what’s believed to be the world’s oldest rug, an ancient saddle and various ceramic items such as jugs, bowls and incense burners. Also on display are objects from ancient Assyria, Anatolia, Israel, Egypt, Persia and in the Mesopotamian gallery, a stunning, hard-to-miss 40-ton human-headed winged bull sculpture from Khorsabad. Though these exhibitions are permanent, a portion of the space hosts revolving archaeology-related displays.