#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.

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Exhibitions

"Metamorphoses of energy"

Painting exhibition by Mari Iurskaya

March 7-19, 2023

On March 7, 2023, at 15:00, in the ground floor hall of the National Museum of History of Moldova, will take place the opening of the painting exhibition "Energy Metamorphoses" by Mari Iurskaya.

According to the author, the exhibition "Metamorphoses of energy" is a research into the inner world of man, his emotional states and their influence on the outside world.

"We all know that a person's inner self-perception and outer manifestation can be different, which often leads to dissonance, but what happens when this state becomes constant? When do we forget who we really are and our perception of ourselves and the world around us is distorted? What influences these processes? How can one person, having a harmonious energy, change the state of everyone around him?"

The exhibition "Metamorphoses of energy" contains 20 paintings that try to explore these questions through the lens of subjective perception of ourselves and the people around us, what we see and what we feel, what harmony exists between our inner world and the outer world, how it affects our state colors and shapes. Through this exhibition, Mari Iurskaya creates the idea that if we act on the basis of inner feeling and not prejudices, we can discover new sides of ourselves and the world, we can discover new perspectives on life. The paintings in this exhibition represent a metamorphosis of energies, a transition from one state to another, from one form to another, and reflect a personal journey in search of harmony and self-understanding.

The painting exhibition "Metamorphoses of energy" by Mari Iurskaya can be visited between March 7-19, 2023, in the ground floor hall of the National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 str., 121A.