I had the opportunity to visit the Oriental Institute Museum. During my visit to the museum I realized its location and its importance to Chicago. The museum housed many finds of historical value dating back to the Paleolithic period of 2,500,000-100,000 BC. Below you will find examples of man's rise through the use of refined tools and skills from cave life to structured life through evolution. This is an experience that founded in me a new interest in the structures we designed to become the homes we use today for the rest of my life. The Oriental Institute Museum is part of the University of Chicago, a research facility as opposed to an educational facility like Wright College, the university is located in one of the most emerging areas, also awarded with one of the best awards for the development of the neighborhood of Chicago. This would explain why Hyde Park was the stage for the presidential election that brought out one of the most loved and revered presidents, President Barack Obama. Before my obligatory trip to this part of Chicago I was unaware that such a neighborhood existed on the South Side. I have always stayed away from that part of the city due to cultural prejudice, an uninformed decision influenced by knowledge gained from the mass media. (i.e. the news) Thankfully, thanks to this mandatory museum visit, I now know of a neighborhood I can travel to safely and make use of for its wealth of historical museums and information. The Oriental Institute presented an exhibit focusing on the development of the ancient Middle East Eastern Pioneers in the Past: American Archaeologists in the Middle East 1919–20 January 12 – August 29, 2010. And this was the exhibit that I found most intriguing and more i...... middle of paper...... ious environment. It is typical in Chicago for neighborhoods to be designated by the church or cultural background of the primary language. This is very well connected to the hierarchy of cities as such in Mesopotamia, the delegated jobs and the status of its people. This is evident in the neighborhood surrounding the museum, as there is diversity in the streets that pass through the area. It is clear that when you arrive in Hyde Park, wealth increases, probably thanks to the education of the people in the area and direct access to a fabulous university. I'm sure as time goes by I will have much more information after visiting this area, where the social breakdown may or may not stem from. I can't wait to try to find out more and why. I truly believe this project was about everything. Expand our where and why.