#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

Movie night under the stars, Third Edition

The National Museum of History of Moldova hosted the 3rd edition of the Movie night under the stars, in collaboration with the Association on Charity and Promotion of Civic Culture. The event was held in the courtyard on the museum every night of Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the period between June 30 and July 9, starting at 21.00.

For the 2016 edition, were chosen six international productions from the 50s and 60s of the twentieth century - comedies and dramas, films with box office success and with international film festivals awards. Below are listed the films from this year's edition:

• 30th June, Операция «Ы» и другие приключения Шурика / Operation Y and Shurik's Other Adventures (1965), 90 minutes
Directed by Leonid Gayday
Cast: Aleksandr Demyanenko, Aleksei Smirnov, Vladimir Basov, Yuri Nikulin, Georgy Vitsin, etc.
• 1st July, Берегись автомобиля / Beware of the Car (1966), 94 minutes
Directed by Eldar Ryazanov
Cast: Innokenty Smoktunovsky, Oleg Yefremov, Andrei Mironov, Yevgeniy Yevstigneyev etc.
• 2nd July, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964), 91 minutes
Directed: Jacques Demy
Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Anne Vernon etc.
• 7th July, Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez (1964), 90 minutes
Directed by Jean Girault
Cast: Louis de Funès, Geneviève Grad, Michel Galabru etc.
• 8th July, Roman Holiday (1953), 118 minutes
Directed by William Wyler
Cast: Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert etc.
• 9th July, Singing in the Rain (1952), 103 minutes
Directed by Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen
Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds etc.

The films were screened in the original language with subtitles in Romanian.

At the event was presented an exhibition of photography (11 young photographers exhibited their works) and painting (made by Adriana Adam, Eugenia Levițchi and Irina Baltag). In the program of the six movie nights were included some musical moments performed by young artists and bands such as: Alexandra Cebotari, „Cosmos în buzunar" (Cosmos in the Pocket), „Altă Planetă" (Another Planet), "Miriam" etc.

The event "Movie night under the stars" gathered around 800 movie lovers in the courtyard of the National Museum of History of Moldova.