Born on May 10, 1941 in Bakırköy, Istanbul, after graduating from Pertevniyal High School, he enrolled in Istanbul University, Faculty of Letters, Chair of Archaeology. He graduated as an Archaeologist in 1965 with certificates in Classical Archaeology, Prehistory, Ancient History, Byzantine Art, New Age History and a Bachelor's Thesis on the Temple of Sardis. He was interested in cycling and won degrees and championships in various stages. In Bilecik, where he did his military service as a gendarmerie officer, he had the opportunity to be interested in environmental archaeology. He started his professional life as an assistant at Izmit Museum and soon continued at Istanbul Archaeological Museums. In the coastal areas of Istanbul and Yalova, he prepared many reports and had the opportunity to benefit from the files of the Council of Antiquities. As the Government Representative in the Knidos Excavation, he performed his duty meticulously. He married his colleague İnci Gülsevil, an art historian working at the museum. He published numerous research and promotional articles in periodicals such as TTOK Belleteni, Arkitekt and İlgi. In 1973, he was appointed as an Assistant to the Chair of Byzantine Art History at Istanbul University, Faculty of Letters. His PhD Thesis on Byzantine Stone-Brick Wall Techniques and Dating in Turkey, which he completed in 1984, is the product of a long and meticulous work that is widely referenced. In 1987, Mehmet İnsan Tunay was appointed as an Assistant Professor and taught Ancient Art, Byzantine Architecture, Byzantine Art in the graduate and postgraduate programs of Art History, as well as in the Museum Practice and Seminar programs.