#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

"Gagauzia - 30 years of autonomy"

April 24 – May 7, 2024

The exhibition "Găgăuzia - 30 years of autonomy" is dedicated to the "Day of writing and the Gagauz language", marked annually on April 27. On this occasion, the organization CMI - Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation within the activities of the Parliamentary Working Group on Gagauzia carries out a vast information and communication campaign "Gagauzia - 30 years of autonomy", which includes events, exhibitions, broadcasting and dissemination of video products , audio and print. The objective of the campaign is to contribute to social resilience and inter-ethnic peace in the country. At the same time, the campaign aims to help the general public to better understand the Gagauz specifics, the reasons for establishing the autonomy and the existing communication platforms between the central and local authorities.

The exhibition "Găgăuzia - 30 years of autonomy" comes to support this campaign by presenting some notorious personalities who contributed to the development of Gagauz history, language and culture. The exhibition includes the personalities:

• Mihail Ciakir - priest and writer, was the initiator of the first newspaper in the Gagauz language, the author of the Gagauz-Romanian dictionary and the first translator of the Bible in the Gagauz language.
• Maria Marunevici - researcher, ethnographer, civic activist and politician.
• Dmitrii Caracioban - writer, teacher, author of the first Gagauz films, he is also the founder of the first museum of Gagauz culture, located in Beșalma.
• Nikolai Baboglu - writer, poet, pedagogue and folklorist, who translated the works of Mihail Eminescu, Ion Creangă, Alexandr Puskin and others into the Gagauz language.
• Dionis Tanasoglu - writer, pedagogue who contributed to the development of the Gagauz alphabet and the writing of school textbooks, was rector of the State University of Comrat.

CMI is a Finnish organization working in the field of conflict prevention and resolution through dialogue and mediation. Founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari in 2000. In the Republic of Moldova, CMI implements the "Gagauzia Dialogue" project with financial support from Sweden. Within the project, CMI facilitates the process of informal dialogue between the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and the People's Assembly of Gagauzia on the platform of the Working Group. To support this process, the project brings together legislators, experts and stakeholders from Chisinau, Comrat and the rest of the country to find common solutions for common topics related to UTA Gagauzia.

The exhibition "Găgăuzia - 30 years of autonomy" includes the creative activity of some outstanding personalities, exhibited through remarkable works and can be seen from April 24 to May 7, 2024, on the fence of the National Museum of History of Moldova, Chișinău, 31 August 1989 street, 121A.

#Exhibit of the Month

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

"Gagauzia - 30 years of autonomy"

April 24 – May 7, 2024

#Exhibit of the Month