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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

"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.

This exhibition offers an artistic and historical perspective on a village located on the banks of the Nistru River, boasting a cultural heritage spanning over 900 years.

The first documented mention of Rașcov dates back to the 14th century, a period when the lands on the left bank of the Nistru were part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In 1402, the fortress "Kalaur" was listed among the cities and castles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, near which the settlement of Rașcov developed. By the 17th century, Rașcov had become an important commercial hub.

Over the centuries, Rașcov witnessed the harmonious coexistence of various ethnic and religious communities, each contributing to the town's economic and cultural development. At different times, Moldovans, Russians, Ukrainians, Jews, Poles, and Armenians called Rașcov home.

The exhibition features the works of artist Veaceslav Ignatenco, a member of the Union of Plastic Artists of Moldova and the Union of Designers of the USSR. Ignatenco, a recipient of the Francis Skaryna Medal (2015) and the honorary title Master of Arts (2019), draws inspiration from Rașcov's landscapes and history. His creations vividly depict the interplay between nature, architecture, and the region's cultural diversity. Each piece reflects the deep connection between humanity and its environment, as well as the indelible mark of history on this unique place.

The works, created by the artist over the years, highlight various significant historical landmarks, such as St. Cajetan Church (1749), one of the oldest Catholic churches in Moldova, The Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Mother of God (1740), The Holy Trinity Church (1779), and the impressive Red Rock, a symbol of the region.

The exhibition "Rașcov - Through Centuries and History" will be open to visitors from November 22 to December 6, 2024, at the National Museum of History of Moldova, Chișinău, 31 August 1989 Street, No. 121A.


 




Independent Moldova
Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic
Bessarabia and MASSR between the Two World Wars
Bessarabia and Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in the Period between the Two World Wars
Revival of National Movement
Time of Reforms and their Consequences
Abolition of Autonomy. Bessarabia – a New Tsarist Colony
Period of Relative Autonomy of Bessarabia within the Russian Empire
Phanariot Regime
Golden Age of the Romanian Culture
Struggle for Maintaining of Independence of Moldova
Formation of Independent Medieval State of Moldova
Era of the
Great Nomad Migrations
Early Middle Ages
Iron Age and Antiquity
Bronze Age
Aeneolithic Age
Neolithic Age
Palaeolithic Age
  
  

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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

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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