#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

"Icons painted on ammo boxes"

22 February – 10 March 2024

The exhibition "Icons painted on ammo boxes" is organized by the Polish Institute in Bucharest and the National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Chisinau and with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Moldova.

The collection presented in Chisinau contains 25 unique icons by Ukrainian artists Olexander Klymenko and Sonia Atlantova, including newer works painted on ammunition boxes used during Russia's current invasion of Ukraine.

The project combines two aspects, at first sight impossible to approach unitarily: the icon and the ammunition box, death and life. "Through our works we want to transform death, the symbol of which is the ammunition box, into life, traditionally symbolized in the Ukrainian icon culture," says Klymenko. In 2014, in response to Russia's first military aggression against Ukraine, Ukrainian artists began painting icons on ammunition boxes. This very original and expressive approach had a very strong impact on the public from the very beginning.

The main goal of the Ukrainian artists is to sell the icons, the amount collected being donated for charitable purposes to the people affected by the war, but especially to come to the aid of the First Voluntary Mobile Hospital in Ukraine, where more than 60,000 people have already been treated since 2014 of patients. According to Klymenko's statements, 97% of the hospital's operating costs were covered from the sale of icons. From the funds obtained from the sale of the works, the artists also support the medical society of the 114th Territorial Defense Brigade and the "Wings of Victory" project, which helps wounded soldiers.

The icons presented in the Chisinau exhibition have traveled around the world, so far being exhibited in 19 countries and in over 150 places, including the European Parliament.

The opening will take place on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 14.00, in room 1 of the National History Museum of Moldova, which will take place with the participation of the authors of the works. The event is dedicated to the two-year anniversary of the outbreak of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The exhibition can be visited until March 10, 2024, at the National Museum of History of Moldova, Chisinau, 31 August 1989 street, 121A.