Discover how ancient cultures intertwine with our own. Robert R. McCormick Halls of the Ancient Americas is a journey through 13,000 years of human ingenuity and achievement in the Western Hemisphere, where diverse societies thrived long before the arrival of Europeans.

Through interactive features, floor-to-ceiling displays, and thousands of artifacts, this immersive exhibition explores the ancient peoples of the Americas, from hunters and gatherers to the Aztec and Inca empires—and from the arrival of European settlers to the present day.

Discover what we’ve learned recently about these advanced early civilizations and what cultural practices teach us about our own way of life in the 21st century.

Tens of millions of Indigenous people lived in the Americas when the first European explorers landed on its shores. But within a few hundred years, disease, slavery, and warfare had killed three out of every four of those Indigenous people—destroying many of their cultures in the process.

Still, Indigenous languages, histories, and cultural traditions have survived into the present day. The descendants of these past peoples continue to keep their histories and cultural traditions alive by sharing them with others.

The Ancient Americas exhibition and its related educational programs were co-curated with Indigenous and Latino advisors from throughout the Americas. These dedicated individuals provided mentorship and guidance throughout the course of this project.