#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.

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Exhibitions

"Archeological Findings from Germany"

12 June-15 July 2012

On June 21, 2012, at the Art Gallery of Bălți it was opened the photo exhibition "Archeological Findings from Germany". The opening ceremony was attended by the Cultural Attaché of the German Embassy in Moldova K.F. Buschendorf, Deputy Mayor of Bălți Municipality A. Usatîi, and General Director of the National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova Eugen Sava.

The exhibition was conceived by Professor Svend Hansen, director of the Eurasian Abteilung of the German Archaeological Institute (Deutsches Archäologisches Institut - Berlin) and is an invitation to discover the archaeological universe of the western Central Europe. So far the exhibition has been displayed in several cities of Romania - Iași, Galați, Cluj, Sibiu, Alba Iulia, - and now has arrived in the Republic of Moldova, to the National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova and the Art Gallery of Balti.

The exhibition illustrates 45 objects, which are of special value for the German archeology. The oldest object in the exhibition is a Stone Age hand ax, and the newest ones belong to the Early Middle Ages. The images in this exhibition represent different styles of photographic presentation of discoveries. They show that archaeological findings are not just a subject of scientific classifications, but that they can be contemplated from different perspectives. Photographic presentation of findings allows focusing on the object's singularity. Separation of objects from each other by a frame and passé-partout avoids conducting any links between them. Each finding represents a particular and specific historical situation, and should be presented as such. That is why, in this exhibition there was not made an attempt to tell an illusory coherent history, which involved, for example, a gradual technical development or general progress of civilization. On the contrary, archaeological finds are just a chain of discontinuities. Each object represents particular historical circumstances to be investigated.

The exhibition will be opened at the Art Gallery of Bălți from June 21 to July 15, 2012.

Organizers and partners:
National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova - Chișinău
Deutsches Archäologisches Institut - Berlin
Deutsches Kultur-Zentrum - Iași
Institut of Archaeology - Iași
Akzente Cultural Centre - Chișinău
National Association of Young Historians of Moldova - Chișinău

#Exhibit of the Month

Glass Goblet from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov Cemetery (4th Century AD) in Tigheci

"Archeological Findings from Germany"

12 June-15 July 2012

#Exhibit of the Month