On 2nd February EXARC's Director, Roeland Paardekooper, was made a Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau. The Award, granted by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, was made at a ceremony in Eindhoven on the 27th April.

The award is a well-deserved recognition of Roeland's achievements and the citation focused in particular on his services to archaeology and the very considerable part he has played in the development of EXARC's international network. The Mayor's Speech gave ample recognition to the importance of this network as a tool for encouraging links between individuals and for enhancing the learning potential to be gained from experimental archaeology. His work was described as "groundbreaking", and his track record "tremendous".

As well as being a great honour for Roeland, this award also demonstrates the value which the work of EXARC and its members can have on wider society.

To add to what must have been a dramatic week for Roeland, on 1st May he is also defending his PhD thesis at Exeter University in the United Kingdom. His doctorate focused on Archaeological Open-Air Museums.

Dr Steve Burrow
Chair, EXARC