Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures PAS was created on the 1st September 2010 as a result of a merger of Research Center for Mediterranean Archaeology PAS and Center for Studies on Non-European Countries PAS.

The main focus of the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures PAS is the study of the ancient and modern civilization stemming from cultural and religious traditions different than those of modern Europe. The Institute has been created on the 1st September 2010 on the basis of two scientific institutions - Research Center for Mediterranean Archaeology PAS and Center for Studies on Non-European Countries PAS. It has taken over the achievements and methodologies of archeological research in Egypt, Sudan, Syria, Israel and Cyprus that lasted nearly a century and has inherited extensive work of linguistic, cultural and religious studies as well as the research in the area of developmental sociology of modern Asian and African countries. The staff of the Institute represent a wide variety of academic disciplines – archaeology, history, sociology as well as art, linguistic, religious and cultural studies, which defines a large scope of study presented by the institution. Interdisciplinary studies include – in the geographical approach - the cultures of the Mediterranean, Asian Orient and neighboring countries, i.e. the studies on the heritage of the Mediterranean cultures as a common good of particular importance for the united Europe, study on Asian and African cultures from ancient to modern times, studies on historical and contemporary Islam as well as the globalization processes in the context of intercultural dialogue and confrontation.