Ömer Can Aksoy is an affiliated post-doctoral researcher at the University of Exeter’s Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies (IAIS). He holds a BA, MA and PhD from University College London, Institute of Archaeology. His research interests include modern conflict archaeology in Turkey, ancient warfare in the Arabian Peninsula, use-wear analysis of metal weaponry, and rock art of Saudi Arabia and Oman. His main body of work is concerned with ancient and modern forms of conflict and their expressions in material culture, art and architecture.

Since 2005, Can has been involved in fieldwork and artefact studies in Turkey (Klazomenai, Hattusa, Dumlupınar), Saudi Arabia (Tayma, Jubbah, Al-Qurrayah, Royal Commision for Al-Ula, National Museum of Saudi Arabia ), Qatar (Qatar National Museum), UAE (Sharjah Archaeology Museum, Kalba), Bahrain (Samahij) and Oman (Safah, Jebel Akhdar). From 2018 to 2019, Can coordinated the rehabilitation project of the Old Amiri Palace which lies at the centre of the National Museum of Qatar. He directed the Battle of Dumlupınar Modern Conflict Archaeology project from 2012 to 2019.

Can was awarded the Seton Lloyd Prize for research in Western Asiatic Archaeology, US Army Ret. Lt. Col. Cornelius W. Barton Military History Grant and European Association of Archaeologists Student Award for his research on the heritage management and public archaeology of the Battlefield of Dumlupınar in Turkey. He was also a member of the Doha City of Play Team which won the Unlimited Doha Design Prize in 2016.

More information on Can’s research and work experience can be found at: https://ucl.academia.edu/CanAksoy