#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).

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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25th Annual Scientific Session

October 8-9, 2015

Following the yearly tradition, the National Museum of History of Moldova organized on October 8th and 9th, 2015 the 25th edition of the Yearly Session of Scientific Papers. The Session from October 8th-9th, 2015, as the ones from previous years, had three components: plenary session, issue of the museum journal Tyragetia and discussion in panels.

The opening session was held on October 8th, in the Blue Room of the museum. The participants at the event were greeted by former museum director Nicolae Răileanu, dr.Ion Gumenâi, dean of History Department of the State University of Moldova and dr. Sergiu Musteață, dean of History and Geography Department of the State Pedagogical University „Ion Creangă". Their welcome speeches were focused on the national and international significance of the Session, the need to maintain and promote this tradition and the fruitful collaboration of the museum with universities and academic institutions from the republic and abroad. It was noted what has been achieved so far and what should be done in the future.

Since its first edition, the Session was designed as a complex event with exhibition openings, book issues and other related activities. This year was no exception as at the plenary session was issued the museum journal Tyragetia, 2015, no.1 - Arheologie și Istorie Antică and no.2 - Istorie și Muzeologie. Dr.Aurel Zanoci presented the two volumes of the journal noting their scientific character addressed first of all to specialists, but which can interest the large public as well with their diverse thematic of papers included.

The Session was organized in a plenary meeting and three sections: Archaeology and Ancient History, Medieval and Modern History, Contemporary History and Highlighting Museum Heritage. The plenary session was mediated by dr.hab Elena Ploșnița. Two papers of wide concern were presented in this part of the Session: the first one signed by dr.hab.prof.univ. Victor Ţvircun - „Enigma postmortem a lui Dimitrie Cantemir" (Dimitrie Cantemir postmortem mystery) and the second signed by dr.hab.prof.univ. Anatol Petrencu - „Începuturile Gualg-ului: Arhipelagul Solovețk - Canalul Marrea Albă-Marea Baltică" (Beginnings of Gulag: Archipelago Solovețk - White See-Baltic See Channel).

In the sections were presented 65 scientific papers by researchers, university professors, museographers from the republic and abroad. The thematic palette was a rich one with particularly valuable papers, many of them provoking intense debates. The participants approached issues concerning history, archaeology, protection and highlighting of cultural heritage. The presentations and the discussion were highly appreciated by the participants who expressed opinions, suggestions, identified principles, forwarded hypotheses and made conclusions.

The Session ended with a meeting summarizing the results. All the participants at the session noted the importance and necessity of organizing this Session of scientific papers. The 25th edition of the Yearly Session of Scientific Papers of the museum was a success due to the efforts of the museum staff and the support of our colleagues from the State University of Moldova and the State Pedagogical University „Ion Creangă". Everybody underlined the importance of the event which is actually an international one, while the presence of colleagues from abroad was recognition of the value of this Session. The Session of scientific papers of the museum reflects the interest of specialists for research on history, archaeology and museology.

Elena Ploșnița

#Exhibit of the Month

Stone Battle Axe Discovered at Aluniș, Rîșcani District

25th Annual Scientific Session

October 8-9, 2015

#Exhibit of the Month