#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

"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. It marks 210 years since the arrival of the first German settlers in Bessarabia, offering an artistic journey into the history and heritage of the German community in the region.

The Germans of Bessarabia represented the last wave of German emigrants who settled in "New Russia" following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire by Russia in May 1812. In the Appeal "To the Germans of the Duchy of Warsaw," dated November 29, 1813, Tsar Alexander I invited German settlers to establish themselves by the Black Sea, promising them land and freedoms. The immigrants came mainly from southwestern Germany and Prussia.

Over 125 years of colonization, this minority developed a prosperous community in Bessarabia, characterized by local autonomy and a strong Protestant work ethic. The German settlers lived in peaceful proximity with other ethnic and religious communities. In 1940, following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939), 93,500 Germans from Bessarabia were relocated, primarily to occupied Poland. At the beginning of 1945, they were forced to flee and create new lives in a divided Germany.

The exhibition explores the story and legacy of the German settlers from Emmental (now Pervomaisc), one of the largest German colonies in Bessarabia, reflected in the paintings of Antonina Casap, a native of this village. The displayed works evoke rural landscapes of unique serenity, the specific architecture of German villages, portraits depicting the daily lives of settlers, the community's traditions and customs, as well as abstract compositions reflecting the dynamic cultural and social changes.

The exhibition discourse offers a new perspective on how art can interpret the history of a community. Each displayed work acts as a bridge between the past and the present, inviting reflection on how history shapes our collective and individual identities.

The exhibition "The German Colony of Emmental - Artistic Reflections" will be open to visitors from September 17 to October 9, 2024, at the National Museum of History of Moldova, 121A August 31, 1989 Street, Chișinău.