#Exhibit of the Month

The exhibit of the month for November is a rare glass goblet from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov cemetery, discovered in Tigheci. Dated to the second half of the 4th century AD, this remarkable artifact demonstrates the craftsmanship of the time, made from translucent greenish glass with a truncated cone shape and intricate geometric decoration. The goblet features three rows of hexagonal facets, framed by incised lines, and a row of elongated ovals under the rim, characteristics which classify it within Series VII A, according to E. Straume's classification. These ornamental traits hint at artistic influences from various regions and indicate the spread of technologies and ideas within the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture.

Archaeological Context of the Discovery

The Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov cemetery at Tigheci is located in a historically complex area, positioned on the northwest slope of the Tigheci River, at the "La Lutărie" point. First identified in the 1980s following unauthorized clay extraction, the cemetery has suffered considerable damage, leading to the loss of valuable artifacts and the destruction of graves. Among the objects recovered by Mr. Ion Pușcașu, founder of the Museum of History and Ethnography in Tigheci, are wheel-thrown ceramic items reflecting the traditions and techniques of communities during the Migration Period.

The site was first archaeologically investigated in 1990, when a complete inhumation grave was found, though lacking any inventory. Subsequent surveys in 2013 and 2015 by the National Archaeological Agency revealed ongoing erosion damaging the cemetery, necessitating a rescue excavation in 2017. This campaign documented and investigated five graves from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture, including the skeletal remains of a male individual estimated to have been 40 to 45 years old at the time of death, offering additional insights into the demographic structure of this community.

Cultural Significance and Comparisons

The hexagonally faceted glass goblet is among the most valuable artifacts from the Tigheci cemetery. Similar goblets are characteristic of the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture and have been found in notable sites such as Târgșor and Bârlad-Valea Seacă (Romania) and Gavrilovka, Ranjevoe (Ukraine), reflecting the cultural and trade connections of this community with other centers of influence in Late Antiquity. Ancient texts and cultural parallels suggest a complex interaction zone with Hellenistic and Roman influences, reflected in luxury goods production such as this glass goblet.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

“About the Polish language in Chișinău”

September 26 – October 26, 2023

In many countries, the European Day of Languages is celebrated on each September 26 since 2001 on the initiative of the Council of Europe. Thanks to the events organized on this occasion, Europeans discover different languages and cultures. Cześć, gąszcz, czyżyk, źdźbło, mitrężycyt, dżdżysto, gżegżółka, chrząszcz - discover the beauty of the Polish language in the Romanian version of the exhibition prepared by the Polish Institute in Bucharest.

We invite you on a journey through an unusual alphabet, listening to the hissing and rustling sounds of the Polish language. Our guides will be associations, dots, dashes and tails, which will help you remember the most interesting things about the Polish language.

The exhibition about the Polish language is presented in the context of the approaching academic year, during which we hope to be able to resume language courses as well. It also accompanies the celebration of the European Day of Languages.

The first source attesting to the Polish language is a papal document from the early 12th century. It mentions the oldest Polish names and surnames. The first longer text was written about 200 years later. In the 15th century there were already poems, prose and documents in Polish.

The exhibition dedicated to the Polish language presents a brief history of the language, the main pronunciation rules, and numerous peculiarities. The viewer finds out, among other things, what is the oldest sentence written in Polish, what "strange" letters are in the Polish alphabet, as well as onomatopoeic expressions that sound funny and literally whistle, squeak and creak on the exhibition panels.

The exhibition not only allows us to discover more about the Polish language, but also encourages us to learn this interesting language that is spoken by more than 40 million people around the world.

The exhibition can be seen from September 26 to October 26, 2023 on the fence of the National Museum of History of Moldova.