#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

„Bone Processing Art from Prehistoric Times to the Pre-Modern Period”

10-30 November 2011

In ancient times, large quantities of raw material obtained owing to cattle-breeding and hunting favored the development of bone and horn processing. This work has evolved from a simple home occupation to a true art, the pieces of which are made with great thoroughness, skill, aesthetic sense and artistic taste. Being easy to process, bone and horn provided a greater freedom of expression allowing the creation of an impressive range of objects by use of multiple techniques, such as cutting, polishing, engraving, etc. Paleolithic and Neo-Eneolithic sites of Trinca, Butești, Cosăuți, and Brânzeni, settlements and necropolises of Trifăuți, Săcărăuca, Dănceni, Ruseștii Noi, Costești, Vulcănești, Giurgiulești, etc., as well as the Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, and Middle Ages sites, offer the largest range of materials and pieces of art and jewelry, exotic objects of rare beauty and diversity.

The exhibition „Bone Processing Art from Prehistoric Times to the Pre-Modern Period" brings together the most representative artifacts - tools and objects of bone, horn, and boars' tusks found as a result of archaeological investigations during the second half of the 20th - early 21st centuries in the sites, settlements, and necropolises in Prut-Dniester area, dated from the Paleolithic to the Middle Ages. These can be classified as working tools, weapons, pieces of art or jewelry.

In the category of bone tools, the most commonly found there are awls of various sizes, needles, decorated chisels and daggers. Among the horn objects there are parts of agricultural and household tools and weapons. Pieces of art and jewelry take a special place in the exhibition - anthropomorphic pendants of bone, plaques, buttons, beads, and other objects reflect the artistic and aesthetic tastes of the natives.