#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

"Corruption and War"

9 – 29 December, 2022

On December 9, the International Anti-Corruption Day, at the National Museum of History of Moldova was inaugurated the "Corruption and War" exhibition, organized by Ziarul de Gardă.

The exhibition frames more than 100 exhibits from the national and international press of the year 2022, which bring visitors in front of some direct questions: Is corruption a cause of war? Could fighting corruption prevent wars? Can there be peace without integrity and transparency?

The exhibition is divided into several areas: the Corridor of National Corruption, the Circle of War, the Moldovan-Russian Octopus and the Light Tunnel. The exhibits represent press articles, documents, images, photographs, diagrams, collages executed by ZdG, but also by other newsrooms from Moldova and the world.

Alina Radu, director of Ziarul de Gardă: "We fight all year with this scourge and we, at Ziarul de Gardă, have been fighting for 18 years, and it is very important to stop one of these days to draw some lines, make some totals and we understand what remains to be done. Today I feel very good because people came to see what is happening with corruption and war in the Republic of Moldova and in the world, and we believe that any information exposed to the public helps to solve the problems of our society. The exhibition is a tribute to investigative journalism, but it is also something that covers the information gap that exists in society, because if we look, we see that not all people still understand how corruption leads to war".

The launch event was attended by dozens of guests who were curious to learn more about corruption in the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, the ambassadors of Great Britain, the USA and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Minister of Culture, Sergiu Prodan, the deputy director of the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office were present.

The "Corruption and War" exhibition can be visited by the general public at the National Museum of History of Moldova between December 9 and 29, 2022.

#Exhibit of the Month

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

"Corruption and War"

9 – 29 December, 2022

#Exhibit of the Month