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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 History of a Painting" 

October 22 - November 8, 2024
On October 22, 2024, at 3:00 PM, the National Museum of History of Moldova (MNIM) will host the opening of the solo exhibition "The History of a Painting" by renowned artist Ghenadie Jalbă. The event is organized in commemoration of the 520th anniversary of the passing of the great ruler Stephen the Great and Holy...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
„Show Me Your Pain Vol. III” 

October 21 - November 8, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Society for the Study and Management of Pain in Moldova, is excited to announce the event "Show Me Your Pain Vol. III" on October 21, 2024, at 1:00 PM in the museum's ground floor hall...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"Czech Castles in the Heart of Moldova" 

October 17 – October 31, 2024
On October 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM, the opening of the traveling exhibition "Czech Castles in the Heart of Moldova" will take place at Mircea Eliade Theoretical Lyceum in Chișinău. This exhibition is organized in collaboration with the National Museum of the Czech Republic and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Chișinău...


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

October 16-30, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the "Plaiul Soarelui" Foundation, is organizing a personal exhibition by Maria Radetskaya, entitled "Wings of the Dream"...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
„From Stray to Star” 

October 15 - November 15, 2024
From October 15 to November 15, 2024, the National Museum of History of Moldova will host the exhibition "From Stray to Star," organized by the Animal Protection Association "DOCTOR VET" in collaboration with FOUR PAWS International...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"And They Saw the Voices..." 

October 10 – 20, 2024
From October 10 to 20, 2024, the National Museum of History of Moldova will host the exhibition "And They Saw the Voices...", an event dedicated to commemorating the tragic events of October 7, 2023, which marked a turning point in Israel's history...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"Saint John Paul II" 

October 15-31, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova (MNIM) is preparing to open the doors to a remarkable exhibition dedicated to one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, "Saint John Paul II"....


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"Metallurgy – from Magic to Industry" 

September 26, 2024 - September 26, 2025
As part of the European Heritage Days, the exhibition "Metallurgy - from Magic to Industry" will be held, exploring the fascinating evolution of metalworking from rudimentary practices to mass casting, which fundamentally changed the way society managed and used metals...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
“Testimonies from the Gulag: the memory of the victims of the totalitarian-communist regime” 

Memorial of the Revolution in Timișoara, Romania

September 24 – October 30, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Memorial of the Revolution in Timișoara, organizes on September 24, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., a new opening of the traveling exhibition "Testimonies from the Gulag: the memory of the victims of the totalitarian-communist regime"...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"The German Colony of Emmental – Artistic Reflections" 

September 17 – October 17, 2024
The exhibition "The German Colony of Emmental - Artistic Reflections," organized by the National Museum of History of Moldova in partnership with the Municipality of Pervomaisc, will be inaugurated on September 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
"Astrophysicist Nicolae DONICI - 150 Years of Light" 

September 15 – October 15, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the „Mihai Eminescu" Romanian Cultural Institute in Chișinău and the „Heritage 21" Foundation, will host the exhibition titled "Astrophysicist Nicolae Donici - 150 Years of Light"...


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

The Museum of History and Ethnography in Mereni, Anenii Noi district

September 8-22, 2024
In the context of 85 years since the signing of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact and the commemoration of the victims and the dramatic events that followed after August 23, 1939, the National Museum of History of Moldova announces, in cooperation with the Museum of History and Ethnography in Mereni, 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
“Moldovan Jewish-Origin Artists”  

September 7-14, 2024
As part of the European Days of Jewish Culture, the National Museum of History of Moldova invites you to an exhibition dedicated to Jewish-origin artists from the Republic of Moldova. The exhibition features a selection of remarkable works that reflect the rich and complex essence of Jewish culture through the lens of visual art...


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

Caricature Exhibition by Journalist and Caricaturist Anatol Fornea

August 29 - September 25, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova announces the opening of the caricature exhibition "Politicians" by Anatol Fornea, which will take place on August 29, 2024, at 4:00 PM. The exhibition will be open to the public from August 29 to September 25, 2024, and will be hosted in the lobby 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
“Testimonies from the Gulag: the memory of the victims of the totalitarian-communist regime” 

Memorial to the Victims of Communism and Resistance in Sighet, Romania

August 16 – September 10, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Civic Academy Foundation - Memorial to the Victims of Communism and Resistance in Romania and with the financial support of the EU4Culture Program, organizes on August 16, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., a new opening of the traveling exhibition "Testimonies from the Gulag: the memory of the victims of the totalitarian-communist regime"...


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

August 21 – November 20, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova is pleased to announce the opening of the virtual reality exhibition "War Up Close" on August 21, 2024, at 4:00 PM. This exhibition is organized in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Moldova Office...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
“The History of Romania in 100 Portraits” 

August 20 - September 15, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova is pleased to announce the opening of the exhibition "The History of Romania in 100 Portraits," organized by Art Safari, the largest exhibition organizer in Eastern Europe...


National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
„The Caravan of Gulag Memories”  

Itinerant Exhibition at the National Museum of History of Moldova

July 19, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova, in collaboration with the Arbor Association for Culture and Arts, organizes the itinerant exhibition "The Caravan of Gulag Memories."...


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

Floral Art Exhibition

July 11 - August 1, 2024
The National Museum of History of Moldova announces the opening of the exhibition "Bloom, Moldova," organized in collaboration with the "Diana" Floristry Club...


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

 



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Bessarabia and Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in the Period between the Two World Wars
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Time of Reforms and their Consequences
Abolition of Autonomy. Bessarabia – a New Tsarist Colony
Period of Relative Autonomy of Bessarabia within the Russian Empire
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Formation of Independent Medieval State 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