#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

"Memory of War"

(May 6 – June 28, 2010)

The Second World War is one of the most tragic pages in the history of mankind. It brought to death millions of people and caused incalculable material losses. Moldova also took many hardships of the war. Thousands of the Moldavians have been killed by enemy bullets on the fronts of the war; thousands of villages, houses, industrial buildings, farms have been erased to the ground during the bombing and military operations.

The best gesture of gratitude of the contemporaries to the generation that passed through the crucible of war, and especially to those who have fallen in battles, would be to keep the memory, to transmit from generation to generation their names and deeds.

The exhibition “Memory of War” is dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Victory over fascism and is to commemorate all the victims of the war irrespective of which side of the barricades they were. In it some museum items are exhibited for the first time: photographs, books, posters, military uniforms, weapons, soldiers’ personal belongings, front letters, war trophies, awards, etc. – the historical relics aimed to reconstruct the tragic events of the Second World War, crimes of fascism, the brotherhood in arms and the joy of victory.

Most of the exhibits are from the collections of the National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova and are divided into several conventional sections: The Beginning of War, The “New Order” instituted by the fascists in Europe, The Creation of Antifascist Coalition, The Liberation of the Peoples of Europe from the Fascist Occupation, The Fall of Fascism, and The Nuremberg Trials.

A special section of the exhibition includes photographs, documents and personal belongings of our citizens who participated in the biggest military operations during the war and were decorated with high military honors for heroism on the battlefields (D. Calaras, I. Coval, N. Lebedenko, I. Soltas, F. Zharchinsky, V. Ermuratsky, G. Odobescu, and others).

The exhibition is complemented by a collection of posters of the time and works of art on the military subjects created by the prominent painters (I. Toidze, M. Grecu, A. David, A.Vasiliev, V. Obuh, and others), as well as books on the history of the Second World War.

#Exhibit of the Month

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

"Memory of War"

(May 6 – June 28, 2010)

#Exhibit of the Month