Professor Andrzej Marek Wyrwa (1955–2022), director of The Museum of the First Piasts at Lednica

The date 17 November 2022 marked the death of Prof. Andrzej Marek Wyrwa, a historian and archaeologist, a long-standing professor at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, and Director of the Museum of the First Piasts at Lednica. Born on 22 March 1955 in Krzyż Wielkopolski, he graduated in history (1978) and archaeology (1981) from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan. Bonded with his alma mater in his scholarly activity, where he worked uninterruptedly as of 1984, he was conferred doctoral degree in 1985, postdoctoral degree in 1996, and became professor in 2004. Having headed the ’Łekno’ Archaeological Expedition in 1982–2008, he conducted excavations at Ł3 archaeological site at Łekno near Wągrowiec which resulted in a spectacular discovery of pre-Romanesque rotunda relics dating back to the Early- -Piast monarchy, of a stronghold, and of a Cistercian monastery founded in 1153. In many aspects that research into the whole settlement complex around Łekno was trailblazing, extensive, and interdisciplinary. Having become Director of the Museum of the First Piasts at Lednica in 2008, over the 14 years of his contribution to that institution he implemented crucial projects enabling its operation. In 2013, he extended the archaeological reserves at Ostrów Lednicki, Giecz, and Grzybowo. He also extended the Dziekanowice seat of the Museum making the dream of generations of Polish scholars and museologists come true: to have Ostrów Lednicki’s Piasts’ heritage proudly manifested. Not so long ago, since on 7 October 2022, together with Prof. Wyrwa we happily celebrated the launch of the new Museum building. Furthermore, his academic legacy contains over 625 academic studies, works for general public, and pieces of feature writing.