PITTSBURGH SEMINARY WELCOMES MICHAEL DANTI AS DIRECTOR OF KELSO MUSEUM OF NEAR EASTERN ARCHAEOLOGY
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary has named Dr. Michael D. Danti as the next director of the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology. The Kelso Museum has its roots in a program of archaeological field work in the Near East that began in 1924, focusing on the lands of the Bible. Its exhibits highlight daily life in ancient times, including landscape and settlement patterns; domestic and communal architecture; agriculture and food preparation; technologies, crafts, and stylistic traditions; trade; religious observance; as well as memory and writing systems and practices. Dr. Danti will begin as museum director April 6, 2026.
Dr. Danti comes to PTS from the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, where he served as program director of the Iraq Heritage Stabilization Program and directed archaeological projects through the Penn Museum, including the Tell es-Sweyhat Project in Syria, the Rowanduz Archaeological Program in Iraqi Kurdistan, and the Penn Nimrud and Nineveh Projects in Northern Iraq. He has also served as the academic director of the Cultural Heritage Initiatives at the American Society of Overseas Research, the director of the University of Mosul Archaeology Program, and the director of the Hasanlu (Iran) Publication Project. He is a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and serves as a consulting scholar for the Penn Museum. He has led the implementation of multiple grants awarded through the ALIPH Foundation and U.S. Department of State, authored numerous official reports and scholarly articles, and spoken widely in civil, academic, and public-facing venues on the importance of cultural heritage preservation. He is a graduate of Purdue University (B.A., anthropology), Boston University (arts administration graduate certificate, managing visual arts organizations), and the University of Pennsylvania (Ph.D., archaeology).
Regarding his appointment, Dr. Danti indicated, “It is a true privilege to join Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and lead the Kelso Museum. My work in archaeology has always been rooted in a deep respect for the communities and traditions that give meaning to the past, and I’m excited to continue that work in a place where scholarship, faith, and community come together so thoughtfully.”
“Dr. Danti brings a true passion for the important work of preserving cultural heritage for future generations,” says the Rev. William Baker IV, vice president for strategic initiatives and continuing education, “and rich experience from decades of pursuing this passion as a scholar, field archaeologist, and advocate. PTS’s Kelso Museum is a one-of-a-kind resource valued internationally for its unique collection of records and artifacts, which supports the advancement of academic research, both about the history of the region and about the history of archaeology itself, and locally as a public education resource—a place where individuals, families, church groups, and students of all ages can see and even touch artifacts that offer a glimpse of what life was like in the ancient Near East. We’re pleased to have found a gifted expert with such a passion for education, cultural preservation, and the broader public good to steward this amazing resource. We look forward to welcoming future visitors to experience all that the Kelso Museum has to offer.”