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#Exhibit of the Month

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The artifact is a battle axe made from magmatic rock (diabase) of gray-brown color. It was accidentally discovered in 1966 within the territory of Aluniș village, Rîșcani district. Based on its morphological characteristics, the artifact can be attributed to the Catacomb culture (29th-22nd centuries BCE).

The axe features a massive, elongated naviform body with slightly pronounced shoulders, a short and narrow edge that is flat and circular in cross-section. The blade is slightly curved. The hole was drilled in the maximum width of the object. It is circular in shape with a diameter of 2.2 cm. The surface of the artifact is meticulously polished, worked with great care, and shows no signs of damage or chipping.

Dimensions: Length: 20.0 cm; Maximum width: 8.4 cm; Edge diameter: 5.0 cm; Blade width: 7.0 cm; Weight: 2.3 kg.

Stone battle axes are characteristic of the Catacomb culture communities and are most often found as grave goods, deposited in tombs. Their presence in funerary complexes suggests a multifaceted functionality: weapons, social symbols, and ritual objects. Initially used as weapons, the axes became social symbols for their owners, later acquiring votive significance when deposited in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife.

The social symbolic function of stone battle axes is indicated by the high-quality rocks used for their manufacture and the exceptionally meticulous craftsmanship. The large dimensions of the axe from Aluniș support this hypothesis and distinguish it from other examples.

The discovery of stone battle axes outside a funerary complex may indicate their votive deposition. It is difficult to imagine that these exceptionally well-crafted pieces, made from high-quality rocks transported over great distances, could have been abandoned or lost accidentally. It is far more likely that they were deposited for magical-religious purposes, a possibility that may also apply to the stone axe discovered at Aluniș.

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Exhibitions




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"The Medieval Fortresses of Alcedar and Echimăuți: 75 Years Since the Start of Field Archaeological Research" 

April 16 – June 1, 2025
On the occasion of the International Day of Monuments and Sites, the National Museum of History of Moldova announces the opening of the exhibition "The Medieval Fortresses of Alcedar and Echimăuți: 75 Years Since the Start of Field Archaeological Research."...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
“Childhood in the Gulag” 

“Alecu Russo” State University of Balti

April 11-30, 2025
In the context of the Day of Commemoration of the Victims of the Famine of 1946-1947 in the Moldavian SSR, the National Museum of History of Moldova announces, in partnership with the „Alecu Russo" State University of Balti and the Institute of History of MSU, the opening of the exhibition "Childhood in the Gulag"...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
”Ukraine: The Art of the Unyielding / Україна: Мистецтво Нескорених” 

April 2–18, 2025
The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Moldova, is organizing the exhibition "Ukraine: The Art of the Unyielding" / „Україна: Мистецтво Нескорених." ...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"Royal Echoes from the Interwar Period – Queen Marie and Romanian Chișinău" 

March 27 – April 27, 2025
 The exhibition "Royal Echoes from the Interwar Period – Queen Marie and Romanian Chișinău" unveils the profound and fascinating influence of Queen Marie on Romania's cultural heritage and identity...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"The Phenomenon of Resistance" 

February 28 – March 28, 2025
On February 28, 2025, the National Museum of History of Moldova inaugurated the photography exhibition "The Phenomenon of Resistance", a project that reveals the destinies of children who returned home from deportation, civilians, and prisoners of war released from captivity...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"Education in Times of Occupation" 

February 24 - March 10, 2025
The National Museum of History of Moldova will host the opening of the outdoor photo exhibition "Education in Times of Occupation" on February 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM in its hall, organized in partnership with Amnesty International Moldova...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"The Archaeological Landscape of Old Orhei" 

February 20 – March 20, 2025
The Archaeological Landscape of Old Orhei is an ensemble of exceptional archaeological sites, located in a fortified natural space with unique features on a global scale. As a result of millennia of collaboration between human genius and the natural environment, the Archaeological Landscape of Old Orhei represents an extraordinary repository of heritage values, a place of rare beauty and great attractiveness that deeply impresses any visitor...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"UNHEARD VOICES"  

February 14-27, 2025
From February 14, 2025, the National Museum of History of Moldova will host the exhibition "UNHEARD VOICES", bringing public attention to the realities faced by people with disabilities and refugees in the Republic of Moldova...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
„Petru Lucinschi: Portrait Over Time” 

January 27 - February 28, 2025
The exhibition marks the 85th anniversary Petru Lucinschi, second President of the Republic of Moldova. It features approximately 180 photographs, documents, distinctions, books, works of art, personal items, and other documentary evidence that reconstruct the most significant stages of the renowned politician and statesman's life and career...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"Humanity Without Borders" 

January 23 - February 11, 2025
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, the National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with Agudat Israel in Moldova and the Romanian Cultural Institute "Mihai Eminescu," is organizing a special exhibition titled "Humanity Without Borders" in the museum's Diorama Hall...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
„How the Earth Breathes” 

January 14 - February 9, 2025
On January 14, 2025, starting at 12:00 PM, the National Museum of History of Moldova will host the 22nd opening of the traveling photography exhibition How the Earth Breathes, created by director and photographer Dan Mihalcea...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
„Mihai Eminescu in Medallic Art, Philately, and Postcard Collecting from the NMHM Collection” 

January 3 – December 31, 2025
Mihai Eminescu, one of the most prominent figures of Romanian culture, is celebrated through an exceptional mini-exhibition hosted in the Bronze Hall of the National Museum of History of Moldova...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"Climate in Black and White. A Visual Experience of Moldova’s Climatic Past" 

December 20, 2024 - January 10, 2025
The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the initiative group "Climate Through the Lens," is organizing a photography exhibition entitled "Climate in Black and White. A Visual Experience of Moldova's Climatic Past." The opening ceremony will take place on December 20 at 3:00 PM in Hall 1 of the museum...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"A Decade of Corruption: From the Billion Dollar Theft to Vote Buying" 

December 10 - 24, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and Ziarul de Gardă, invites you to the opening of the exhibition "A Decade of Corruption: From the Billion Dollar Theft to Vote Buying" on December 10, 2024, at 14:00. This project is organized by Ziarul de Gardă...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"FRIENDS THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY" 

December 6-20, 2024
The National History Museum of Moldova invites you to the opening of the photographic exhibition "Friends through Photography", which will take place on Wednesday, December 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., in the hall on the ground floor of the museum...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"Rașcov – Through Centuries and History" 

November 22 – December 6, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Belarusian Cultural Center in Moldova and the Agency for Interethnic Relations, invites you to the opening of the exhibition "Rașcov - Through Centuries and History" on November 22 at 3:00 PM, in the upper-level hall of the museum...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"The National Bank of Romania’s Treasure in Moscow – A Century-Old Claim" 

November 16 – December 5, 2024
The National Bank of Romania and the Romanian Cultural Institute "Mihai Eminescu" in Chișinău, in partnership with the National Museum of History of Moldova, invite the public to the opening of the exhibition-event "The National Bank of Romania's Treasure Sent to Moscow and Unrecovered - A Century-Old Claim"...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"LEADER Program in Action" 

November 1-15, 2024
On November 1, 2024, the National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the LEADER Program, opened an outdoor exhibition on the museum's fence, showcasing the results of the first call of the National LEADER Program 2022-2023, achieved at the national level...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"Chișinău at the Red Line" 

November 8 - December 8, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova is pleased to announce the opening of the exhibition "Chișinău at the Red Line" on November 8, 2024, at 3:00 PM in Hall 4...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

 



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#Exhibit of the Month

The artifact is a battle axe made from magmatic rock (diabase) of gray-brown color. It was accidentally discovered in 1966 within the territory of Aluniș village, Rîșcani district. Based on its morphological characteristics, the artifact can be attributed to the Catacomb culture (29th-22nd centuries BCE)...

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The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2025 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

 



The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2025 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

menu
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2025 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC