Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (15.2003(2004))

OBITUARY

From the beginning of his interest in Africa, Lech Krzyzaniak was closely associated with the Polish
Center of Mediterranean Archaeology of Warsaw University. Warmly welcomed by Professor
Kazimierz Michalowski, the founder of the Center, Krzyzaniak with his enthusiasm and undoubt-
ed skills soon became an important, respected and well-liked member of the team popularly known
among the Polish as the “Archaeological Station in Cairo”. His introduction to African archaeolo-
gy was through participation in Polish excavations in Alexandria, Old Dongola and Tell Atrib. By
the mid-1970s, he had his own dig — the Neolithic site of Kadero in Sudan; the excavations there
were continued over the years, the most recent season taking place in December of 2003. His other
field of interest was the prehistoric rock art of Africa. He started fieldwork in 1981 in the Tassili
Massif in Algeria and went on to work in Dakhleh Oasis in the Western Desert of Egypt.
Krzyzaniak was frequently invited to cooperate with various foreign expeditions. Suffice it to
mention his work on the Predynastic and Early Dynastic burial ground at Minshat Abu Omar in
the Eastern Delta, the Meroitic site of Nagaa in Central Sudan, the settlement from the Old
Kingdom period at Korn El Hisn in the Western Delta.
Those participating in the well-known Dymaczewo Conferences dedicated to the prehistory of
Northeastern Africa will remember Krzyzaniak not only as president of the Organizing Committee,
but foremost as the ‘spiritus movens’ of all seven of the international meetings held so far.
As Director of the Archaeological Museum in Poznan, he put his whole soul in a dedicated pop-
ularization effort that resulted in many attractive exhibitions, conferences devoted to prehistory and
publications on related topics. It is largely his doing that the general public in Poznan, but not exclu-
sively, has become deeply interested not only in the prehistory of the region, but also in the prehistory
and early history of Northeastern Africa, the cradle of the great civilizations of Antiquity in this
part of the world.
Numerous publications, lively participation in international scholarly conferences, supervision of
master and doctoral theses, lectures in Poland and abroad put Lech Krzyzaniak among the top schol-
ars in the field of African prehistoric archaeology. His involvement in museum work and the organ-
ization of scientific research led to his membership in many Polish and international organizations
and research associations. He received many distinctions and awards, including the Order of the
White and Blue Nile, the highest distinction conferred on foreigners by the Government of Sudan.
Professor Lech Krzyzaniak passed away suddenly. He passed away much too soon. His death is
a great loss to archaeology. It has been felt deeply by prehistorians at large, many of whom were his
friends and colleagues, as well as by his students. The rift he has left in our memory will not be mended.
Michal Kobus 'tewicz

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