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In Memoriam prof. dr. Willy Groenman-van Waateringe

2 April 2025

It is with sadness that we bid farewell to Prof. Willy Groenman-van Waateringe, a pioneer in the field of ecological studies in archaeology and a respected professor of Environmental Archaeology at the University of Amsterdam between 1980 and 1995. Even her after retirement, she remained active, first as a visiting professor until 1998 and also continued collaborating in ongoing research where her expertise was in demand. Her recent passing leaves an undeniable void both in the academic world and in the hearts of many she inspired.

Born in 1933, Prof. Groenman-van Waateringe dedicated her life to the study of archaeology from the Neolithic to the Medieval period. She earned her PhD in 1967 from the University of Amsterdam with her dissertation "Romeins lederwerk uit Valkenburg Z.H." Her work spanned many facets of archaeological research, with a particular influence on the study of organic materials, including leather and plant remains. In addition to these specialisms, her research also made an important contribution to theoretical developments of the discipline and research on the Lower Germanic Limes. One of her most remarkable contributions was her involvement in the research on the famous Ice Age mummy Ötzi, where her expertise helped reconstruct vegetation and diet of this 5,300-year-old man.

As the founder of the Environmental Archaeology department at the University of Amsterdam, Prof. Groenman-van Waateringe laid the groundwork for a thriving field of research within the Netherlands. Her dedication to teaching and her ability to convey complex knowledge have led to the training of numerous specialists and researchers who continue to build upon her legacy today.

Her colleagues and students remember her as an inspiring but also persevering mentor, whose passion for research was a role model. In her career she successfully supervised and inspired many (post) doctorate researchers. Her work remains an enduring source of knowledge and inspiration for future generations.

Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who knew her. Prof. Willy Groenman-van Waateringe will be missed, but her contributions to science and her influence on the community will live on.