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Glauburg. Werner Erk's passion is the archaeological heritage of his homeland in Wetterau: When the now 76-year-old took a sightseeing flight over the Glauberg in 1988 with two other members of the Glauburg Local History and History Association, he noticed something at the foot of the hill: in a field, there were clearly different plant growth and different levels of soil moisture. His photos of this set the state archaeological research in motion, which led to the discovery of the first grave of a Celtic prince in 1994. A high point in the history of state archaeological research in Hesse - but by no means all of Werner Enk's work. For his diverse commitment, especially to the Glauburg Local History and History Association and the Celtic World Association, the Minister of Art and Culture Timon Gremmels today awarded him the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Celtic World on the Glauberg.
"With his work and commitment, Werner Erk opens the door to the fascinating heritage of the Celts. His keen eye contributed to a sensation 30 years ago: nobody expected to discover a princely residence on the northern edge of the Celtic world of Europe," said Minister of Art and Culture Timon Gremmels. "The fruits of Werner Erk's decades of work for the association benefit us all: when discovering the history of the Wetterau in the local museum in Glauburg as well as in personal contact during his voluntary nature and cultural tours for the Celtic world. Werner Erk creates access to culture and art and thus makes an important contribution to the democratic decision-making process of our society. The Federal President is therefore honoring him with the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. I would like to thank Werner Erk for his commitment and congratulate him on the award."
Werner Erk is a qualified business teacher and was head of studies and department head at the vocational school in Büdingen. He still devotes his free time to archaeology: in 1975 he co-founded the Glauburg Local History and History Association, and has been its chairman since 1989. Even before the construction of the Celtic World, the members of the association were involved in the reconstruction of the archaeological investigations of the pre-war period and the documentation of later interventions. Together with numerous finds and a local history collection, these formed the focus of the local history museum in Glauburg.
Werner Erk is also a founding member and board member of the “Glauberg Archaeological Park” support association, now known as the “Keltenwelt am Glauberg” support association. The founding of the “Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft Archäologischer Park Glauberg”, which became the “Gemeinnützige Wetterauer Archäologische Gesellschaft Glauberg gGmbH” in 2010, was also his initiative. From 1974 to 2000, Erk was a member of the Wetterau district’s monument advisory board and a specialist for archaeology.
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is awarded for political, economic-social and intellectual achievements as well as for all special services to the Federal Republic of Germany. The Cross of Merit on Ribbon is the second level of the order.