Meet the Expert | Interview with David Kertai
David Kertai is the curator of the ancient Middle Eastern collections at the National Museum of Antiquities. He studied architecture at Delft University, ancient history at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and archaeology at Leiden University. He later earned a PHD at Heidelberg University, focusing on Assyrian palace architecture and kingship. His interest in the Middle East began during his studies in ancient history. As a curator, Kertai works on a wide range of projects and activities and is committed to making knowledge more accessible. In his research, he mainly focusses on the Assyrian empire of the 1st millennium BC, an ancient Middle Eastern civilization. In this interview, Kertai discusses his work as a curator, his role in the new ‘Galleria’ exhibition, and plans for future exhibitions.
Kertai is currently involved in the new ‘Galleria’ exhibition, which opens on 11 June 2026 and features twelve smaller exhibitions. One of these exhibitions focuses on Syrian archaeology. Kertai explained that for this exhibition he worked together with three Syrian archaeologists who work at the museum to document, register and preserve Syrian collections, while at the same time recording the social histories of the archaeologists who worked in Syria in the 1970s. Up till now there has been little attention for these stories. By documenting these stories now, the museum helps to preserve an important part of archaeological and cultural history for future generations.
Besides this project Kertai is working on a mayor exhibition about Assyrian gods, scheduled to open in 2,5 years’ time. It is going to be the first big exhibition dedicated to this theme, covering the period from 1300 BCE to 600 BCE. The permanent gallery was renewed in 2024. Kertai explains that only a tiny fraction of the collection can be displayed, while the majority is primarily intended for academic purposes. Most of these collections derive from Dutch archaeological projects in the region. Objects on display are chosen based on the varied but limited collection of the museum, their historical importance, to showcase archaeological projects, and visual appeal. The exhibition is intended to highlight the diversity and importance of the ancient history of the Middle East. To achieve this, it is essential to add information about the historical significance of objects.
The rich history and cultures of the Middle East receive too little attention according to Kertai. In the Netherlands, the National Museum of Antiquities is one of the main places to encounter the region’s history. Kertai expressed that this aspect makes it very honourable to work at the museum. Through the museum’s collections and exhibitions, he helps to bring stories from the Middle East to the forefront in the Netherlands. To further facilitate this, he also regularly joins the podcast of the Museum of Antiquities in which he shares knowledge about topics ranging from Assyria to famous archaeologists.
Interview by LeidenGlobal Intern Fleur van Tellingen
May 2026
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