This exhibit of artifacts from the Predynastic and Early Dynastic periods (ca. 4000-2685 BC), documents the birth of the most fundamental aspects of ancient Egyptian civilization – architecture, hieroglyphic writing, a belief in the afterlife, and allegiance to a semi-divine king – more than 1,000 years before the pyramids were built. Joining the 140 objects from the permanent collection of the Oriental Institute are the Battlefield Palette and a statue of the Second Dynasty King Khasekhem, two masterworks of Egyptian art from the Ashmolean Museum of Oxford University-neither of which has ever been shown in the US.

Oriental Institute, 1155 E. 58th St., Chicago. March 29th thru December 31st. This exhibition is free and open to the public.