Tarq Hoekstra

Tarq Hoekstra (6 April 1939 – 2 June 2020) was a Dutch archaeologist.[1][2]

Hoekstra was the first city archaeologist of Utrecht, where he was appointed in 1972. He was involved with the spectacular excavations of two medieval ships at the Waterstraat in 1974, the excavation of Vredenburg castle in 1976, and later the excavations in District C around the Jan Meijenstraat. The excavations provided new insights into the design and construction of the dwangburcht (fortress). He carried out extensive research on Vredenburg. He conducted research in archives, and also went to the archives of Brussels and Lille. With his research works in the 1970s and 1980s he carried out pioneering research on Utrecht. His research works he did between 1972 and 1992 is published in Archeologische en Bouwhistorische Kroniek van de gemeente Utrecht. The chronicle is until today an important source of information for researchers.[1]

He was also active in other activities. He was closely involved with Utrecht associations, he wrote several articles about the history of Utrecht, and provided lectures, tours and interviews. During the visit of Queen Beatrix, on 30 April 1998, he was the NPO reporter giving historical information of Utrecht during her visit.[1]

After his retirement in 2001 he continued doing research and other works for the city of Utrecht. Even after he became paralyzed from a stroke in 2015.[1]

For all his activities, he was appointed honorary member by Vereniging Oud-Utrecht.[1]

Hoekstra died on 2 June 2020 at the age of 81; coincidentally on the birthday of Utrecht, 898 years after Utrecht received city rights.[1][2][3]