PROFESSOR ANDRZEJ MAREK WYRWA(19552022), DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUMOF THE FIRST PIASTS AT LEDNICA

Abstract

The date 17 November 2022 marked the deathof Prof. Andrzej Marek Wyrwa, a historian and archaeologist,a long-standing professor at the Adam Mickiewicz Universityin Poznan, and Director of the Museum of the First Piasts atLednica. Born on 22 March 1955 in Krzy Wielkopolski, hegraduated in history (1978) and archaeology (1981) from theAdam Mickiewicz University in Poznan. Bonded with his almamater in his scholarly activity, where he worked uninterruptedlyas of 1984, he was conferred doctoral degree in 1985, postdoctoraldegree in 1996, and became professor in 2004. Havingheaded the ekno Archaeological Expedition in 19822008,he conducted excavations at 3 archaeological site at eknonear Wgrowiec which resulted in a spectacular discoveryof pre-Romanesque rotunda relics dating back to the Early--Piast monarchy, of a stronghold, and of a Cistercian monasteryfounded in 1153. In many aspects that research into the wholesettlement complex around ekno was trailblazing, extensive,and interdisciplinary. Having become Director of the Museumof the First Piasts at Lednica in 2008, over the 14 years of hiscontribution to that institution he implemented crucial projectsenabling its operation. In 2013, he extended the archaeologicalreserves at Ostrw Lednicki, Giecz, and Grzybowo. He alsoextended the Dziekanowice seat of the Museum making thedream of generations of Polish scholars and museologistscome true: to have Ostrw Lednickis Piasts heritage proudlymanifested. Not so long ago, since on 7 October 2022, togetherwith Prof. Wyrwa we happily celebrated the launch of the newMuseum building. Furthermore, his academic legacy containsover 625 academic studies, works for general public, and piecesof feature writing.