The Istanbul Archaeological Museum doesn’t have much contextual interpretation, just your run-of-the-mill I.D. labels. But their collection is great if you’re into Near Eastern Archaeology, which is what my degree is in. Well, that, as well as a second major in France and England in the 18th century…and also Museum Studies. Yep, I’m a big, ‘ol, fat Geek. So getting a chance to see the Babylonian Friezes in person was one of my trip highlights. They were built by Nebuchadnezzar — remember him from the Daniel-and-the-fiery-furnace story? Well, he erected these terracotta-clad walls, not just for defense, but to get his city on the list of “The Seven Wonders of the World” (the equivalent of the “Guinness Book of Records” back then.)