#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

"Ovi D. Pop: My Romania"

December 1-15, 2023

Between December 1-15, the National Museum of History of Moldova has the honor of hosting the exhibition of the Romanian photographer Ovi D. Pop, entitled "My Romania".

Born in Oradea on April 9, 1973, Ovi D. Pop is a photographer with over 20 years of experience and who prefers several genres of photographic art: portrait, nude, aerial and monuments. He is the director of the Oradea "Duran's" Publishing House under whose care he published 7 illustrated monographs of Bihor county, works containing over 1,500 photographs of the most representative locations in the county, respectively 6 editions of the Bihor County Tourist Guide, 3 editions of the Oradea album mine, an edition of the Comitatus Bihoriensis album, an edition of the Nude in the City album and many other views and paperbacks reflect his work.

Since 2013, he also focused on artistic photography, managing to meet the criteria for obtaining national and international awards - MAFR (Master of the Romanian Association of Photographic Artists), E.FIAP/g (Excellence de Fédération Internationale de l'Art Photographique) with the rank of gold and MPSA (Master of the Photographic Society of America).

His photos have won over 2,300 awards, of which 640 gold medals/1st place/Trophies in 91 countries. Several personal exhibitions were organized from his photographs in: Oradea, Bucharest (Senate of Romania), Carei, Cluj Napoca, Dărăbani, Valea lui Mihai, Hajduszoboszló, Gyula, Brussels x3, Cernăuţi, Uzhorod, Ljubljana, Singapore and Pingyao, respectively many group exhibitions in: Cluj Napoca, Bucharest, Szeged, Budapest, Bratislava, Kosice, Monteviarchi, Chernivtsi, Uzhorod (UA), Chisinau, Kolkatta, Shenzen, Kunming and in Macau. Ovi D. Pop has judged in International Salons in Romania, Croatia, India, Italy, Australia, China, Georgia, Serbia, Thailand, Hungary, Singapore, Malaysia and Ukraine.

All this, however, the photographer does not quantify in years, but in achievements and in the richness of the moments he managed to capture with the help of light and shadows. The camera is the channel through which he manages to reproduce what he sees with his eyes and soul.

The opening of the photo exhibition "Ovi D. Pop: My Romania" will take place on December 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., and can be visited between December 1-15, 2023, at the National Museum of History of Moldova, Chisinau, 31 August 1989 street, 121A.

#Exhibit of the Month

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

"Ovi D. Pop: My Romania"

December 1-15, 2023

#Exhibit of the Month