#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

“Weapons and Military Equipment – an Evolution throughout Centuries”

May 18, 2013 - August 18, 2024

The National Museum of the History of Moldova possesses 4,000 pieces of weapons and military equipment of historical, technical and artistic value. The collection, created in the second half of the 20th century on the basis of archaeological finds, donations and acquisitions, covers a wide range of types of weapons from ancient times to the present day.

The exhibition "Weapons and Military Equipment - Evolution throughout Centuries" brings to the public the most representative exhibits from this collection - more than 800 items from England, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire, Italy , Japan, Prussia, Romania, Spain, USA, Hungary, USSR.

All types of weapons from the museum collection are presented: Western and Eastern, cold steel and firearms, offensive and of individual defense. The course of the exhibition is organized in the order of typological and chronological evolution, from the Paleolithic to the early 60s of the 20th century.

“Weapons and Military Equipment – an Evolution throughout Centuries”

From a typological point of view, the following are exhibited:

a) cold weapons (blunt, hand-thrown, edged and pointed) - spearheads and arrowheads, maces, axes, knives, halberds, swords, crossbows, sabers, fascine knives, daggers, stilettos, etc.;
b) firearms (military, hunting and civilian) - a matchlock musket; flintlock, percussion and cartridge rifles and pistols; hunting weapons, submachine guns, machine guns, etc.;
c) protective gear - helmets, shields, poleyns, chain mails, breast plates, back plates.

The oldest edged weapon at the exhibition is a Stone Age flint ax (100,000-35,000 years ago), and the oldest firearm is a 15th-century Persian matchlock musket.

Along with weapons, there are also pieces of military equipment and uniforms that come to complete the military spectrum presented in the exhibition: uniforms, headgear (helmets, shakos, peaked caps, caps, fezzes, hats, etc.), elements of uniforms (epaulettes, shoulder straps, cartridge belts, powder flasks, mess-tins, pistol holsters, map-cases, gas masks, etc.); all dating to the 18th-20th centuries.

The message of the exhibition is complemented with paintings, graphic works and photographs depicting battle scenes, types of weapons and soldiers from different historical periods (in specific clothing).

The exhibition "Weapons and Military Equipment - Evolution throughout Centuries" illustrates, on the one hand, technological progress, creative power, inventiveness and love for beauty, and on the other hand, the innate propensity for violence and the destructive power of man.