#Exhibit of the Month

The artifact is a battle axe made from magmatic rock (diabase) of gray-brown color. It was accidentally discovered in 1966 within the territory of Aluniș village, Rîșcani district. Based on its morphological characteristics, the artifact can be attributed to the Catacomb culture (29th-22nd centuries BCE).

The axe features a massive, elongated naviform body with slightly pronounced shoulders, a short and narrow edge that is flat and circular in cross-section. The blade is slightly curved. The hole was drilled in the maximum width of the object. It is circular in shape with a diameter of 2.2 cm. The surface of the artifact is meticulously polished, worked with great care, and shows no signs of damage or chipping.

Dimensions: Length: 20.0 cm; Maximum width: 8.4 cm; Edge diameter: 5.0 cm; Blade width: 7.0 cm; Weight: 2.3 kg.

Stone battle axes are characteristic of the Catacomb culture communities and are most often found as grave goods, deposited in tombs. Their presence in funerary complexes suggests a multifaceted functionality: weapons, social symbols, and ritual objects. Initially used as weapons, the axes became social symbols for their owners, later acquiring votive significance when deposited in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife.

The social symbolic function of stone battle axes is indicated by the high-quality rocks used for their manufacture and the exceptionally meticulous craftsmanship. The large dimensions of the axe from Aluniș support this hypothesis and distinguish it from other examples.

The discovery of stone battle axes outside a funerary complex may indicate their votive deposition. It is difficult to imagine that these exceptionally well-crafted pieces, made from high-quality rocks transported over great distances, could have been abandoned or lost accidentally. It is far more likely that they were deposited for magical-religious purposes, a possibility that may also apply to the stone axe discovered at Aluniș.

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Exhibitions

“Burning Candela of Faith”

May 16 - September 15, 2015

The Exhibition "Burning Candela of Faith" is organized by the Sector of Medieval History and Numismatics, coordinator A. Chiroșca, for the promotion of the collection of marial icons from the museum's collections. It gathers around 90 icons painted in tempera and oil on wood, which are representative by the multitude of marial types, different styles and painting techniques.

Dated from the end of sixteenth century until mid twentieth century, the icons come from Bessarabia and Russia illustrating famous models - Mother of God of the Three Hands, Mother of God „of the Sign", Mother of God of Vladimir, Mother of God of Kazan, Mother of God of Hârbovăț, and the rare copies - Mother of God „Areovindus", Mother of God „the Three Joys", Mother of God „the Blessed Whomb".

The icons are systematized in several compartments: icons evoking fragments from the life of the Virgin, general types of marial iconography, fragments of iconostases and icons representing churches that they were once part of. In the exhibition were included icons with double painting, with partial painting or on thin layer, also icons stamped on wood and metal.

The exhibition presents as well a series of icons cast in bronze, some gold and silver medallions, cult objects, lampads, candelas and pectoral crosses.

#Exhibit of the Month

Stone Battle Axe Discovered at Aluniș, Rîșcani District

“Burning Candela of Faith”

May 16 - September 15, 2015

#Exhibit of the Month