Artefacts of Excavation

The original objects that made-up the museum were from the World's Columbian exhibition in 1892-93, with the intention to preserve the objects and exhibitions that had been gathered in Chicago for the World's Fair. The museum was funded by Marshall Field, the department store entrepreneur and subsequently named in his honour. The collection fouses on natural history, world cultures and anthropology.

The Egypian collection was the result of British excavations directed by Petrie and Edward Ayer, a timber magnet, who founded the museum, encouraged the benefaction of Marshall Field and served as the president of the institution.