The Institute for Antiquity and Christianity is an interdisciplinary center for basic research into the origins of Western Civilization: the ancient Near East, the classical cultures of Greece and Rome, and the emergence of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The mandate of the Institute is to instigate advanced research directed by experts in their fields of study, in cooperation with international teams of scholars.

The Institute carries out its mission through publications, educational programs, conferences, exhibits, and participation in international scholarly discourse, both to advance knowledge of the cultures, religions, and texts investigated through the Projects and to enrich public understanding and appreciation.