Emrah Kahraman

Biography

Emrah is an archaeologist and works with the stone object collection at the Istanbul Archaeological Museums (IAM). The collection has a great number of artefacts dating from the prehistoric age to the Byzantine periods – which is a professional interest, particularly architectural sculpture. Documenting the collection is part of Emrah’s role, alongside archaeological excavation work. Aside from working on the collection, Emrah is also a member of the new exhibition team at the IAM which has allowed him to focus on modern exhibition principles and techniques.

Emrah, a PhD candidate in the Department of Architectural History at Istanbul Technical University, is generally interested in Middle Byzantine architecture and its marble decoration. His PhD research title is ‘The Architectural Marble Decoration of the Churches of the Pantokrator Monastery in Constantinople’.

His personal interests go beyond archaeology, encompassing broader reflections on culture, psychology, and human experiences. He enjoys exploring anthropology and the philosophy of perception, which shape his understanding of material culture and museum narratives. Travel plays a key role in his life, combining his passion for architectural heritage with observing how societies engage with their past. He is particularly drawn to the layered urban landscapes of the Eastern Mediterranean, where Byzantine and Ottoman traces intertwine. Beyond his professional work, he enjoys photography, cinema, and music – often seeking creativity through reflective walks and visual observations.

Emrah has published seven articles.

• KAHRAMAN, E. (2024). Taş Eserler Koleksiyonu. In: Öğül Emre Öncü (Ed.), İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri Rehber Kitabı. Istanbul: Korpus Kültür Sanat Yayıncılık. ISBN: 978-605-5495-82-4.
• KAHRAMAN, E., & SON, E. (2023). Ayrılıkçeşme Kurtarma Kazısı (İstanbul, Kadıköy İlçesi, Acıbadem Mahallesi, 1421 Ada, 3 ve 4 Parsel). In: 28. Müze Kurtarma Kazıları Sempozyumu Bildirileri, Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism Publications. (Originally presented in 2019; published in 2023).
• KAHRAMAN, E. (2023). Stone Artifacts from Church of Saint Euphemia in the Collections of Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Saint Euphemia and Her Church in Istanbul, (ed. E. Akyürek), Koç University Press, Istanbul, 227-242.
• ÇÖLMEKÇİ, S., KAHRAMAN, E., & SON, E. (2023). Zeytinburnu Mozaikleri. Journal of Mosaic Research (16), 77-88. https://doi.org/10.26658/jmr.1376713
• KAHRAMAN, E., & SON, E. (2023). Ordinasyüs Profesör Arif Müfid Mansel ve Vize A Tümülüsü Kazıları, Bir İdealin Peşinde: Atatürk ve Alacahöyük, Yapı Kredi Yayınları, İstanbul.
• KAHRAMAN, E., & ÇÖLMEKÇİ, S. (2021). Floor Mosaic Detected During the Restoration of the Former Municipality Building of Zeytinburnu. In: O. Aydemir (Ed.), Proceedings of the Zeytinburnu Mosaics Symposium (pp. 133–141). Zeytinburnu Municipality Publications.
• KAHRAMAN, E., BÜYÜKGENÇOĞLU, E., & SON, E. (2021). 1887 Sidon Royal Necropolis Excavation and Letters to the West. Annual of Istanbul Archaeological Museums, 18, 539–555. ISBN: 978-975-17-4945-1

At the British Museum
During his time on the International Training Programme, Emrah was based in the Department of Greece and Rome and spent his partner placement at National Museums Northern Ireland.

In 2021 participants were asked to plan and propose a temporary exhibition on the theme of journeys, drawing on their existing museum experience and the skills learnt during the programme.  Emrah worked with William Gmayi (Ghana) and Siddhant Shah (India) on his Object in focus project. Their exhibition proposal was titled Journey to the West.

Emrah’s place on the ITP was generously supported by the Pears Foundation.