#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

“World Press Photo”

November 18 - December 9, 2020

Chişinău will host for the fourth time the World Press Photo International Exhibition 2020, the most important photographic competition in the world. The event is organized by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC) with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The annual photography competition awards photographers around the world for the best images that have contributed to the development of visual journalism in the last year. Professional photographers, photojournalists and documentary photographers take part in the competition.

For the 2020 competition, the jury of 17 professionals in the field of photography selected the best images and stories that marked last year. The jury established as a key theme of the events of 2019 the protests and the role of young people in promoting changes. The stories regarding environmental issues also stood out, being represented not only in the Environment category, but also in other categories such as Contemporary Issues, Nature or News; all the images emphasize the importance of the subject.

The general public is invited to discover the stories behind the winning photos at the National Museum of History of Moldova, from November 19 to December 9, 2020.

Useful information about the event:

● Opening of the exhibition: November 18, 11:00, National Museum of History of Moldova, entrance by invitations.
● Visiting hours for the general public: from 10:00 to 17:00. Friday - closed.
● Tickets can be purchased at the museum.
● Ticket price: 10 MDL for adults; 5 MDL for students.

The winning photos were selected from a number of 73,996 works by 4,282 photographers from 125 countries. The jury nominated 44 photographers from 24 countries: Algeria, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland, Peru, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the USA.

The annual World Press Photo International Exhibition is travelling around the world. It was held in almost 100 venues in about 45 countries and was visited by over 4 million people at each edition. Before arriving in Chişinău, the exhibition was organized in Amsterdam, Mexico City, Bari, Seville, Saguenay, Turin, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Valencia, and Dortmund.

The first World Press Photo exhibition took place in 1955, when a group of Dutch photographers organized a competition to exhibit their work in front of an international audience. Over the years, it has become one of the most prestigious photography and visual journalism competitions in the world.

The exhibition, which brings together the best photos taken in 2019, was opened on November 18 in the National Museum of History of Moldova. The event was attended by accredited ambassadors to Chişinău, IJC partners, and journalists; all safety measures were followed in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Chişinău, the exhibition was organized for the first time in 2017.

The World Press Photo Exhibition is organized in Chişinău by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC) with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

#Exhibit of the Month

Glass Goblet from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov Cemetery (4th Century AD) in Tigheci

“World Press Photo”

November 18 - December 9, 2020

#Exhibit of the Month