The KNAW Early Career Award is intended for researchers in the Netherlands at the beginning of their careers and who have innovative, original ideas. One of this year’s laureates is Janric van Rookhuijzen, postdoctoral researcher of classical archeology. Van Rookhuijzen: 'I am very pleased with this recognition of my research. The prize is an encouragement to myself and other young researchers to continue to discover the fascinating world of antiquity'
Janric van Rookhuijzen has used innovative research of historical and archaeological sources to show that the world-famous temples on the Acropolis may have had different functions and names than previously thought. For example, what we know as the Parthenon (‘Virgin House’) was called the Hekatompedon (‘Temple of 100 feet’) by the ancient Greeks themselves. Van Rookhuijzen also examines the Acropolis as a monumental symbol of Greece, Europe and what is called ‘western civilisation’. It appears that this status is linked to negative stereotyping of eastern peoples such as the Persians and the Turks.
The KNAW Early Career Award consists of sum of 15,000 euros. The laureates are free to spend this award on their research careers as they see fit. Van Rookhuijzen will also receive the art object Extended Jewelery by Laura Klinkenberg (1992). The KNAW Early Career Award will be presented at the KNAW on 14 February 2023.
Read the entire KNAW report here, including information about the other eleven laureates.