EN RO















#Exhibit of the Month

>>>

The ceramic vessel set was discovered accidentally in October 2025 in the southwestern part of the village of Bălceana, Hâncești District, approximately 1.2 km from the Lăpușnița River. The archaeological materials were recovered by the National Archaeological Agency.

The ceramic assemblage consists of a large storage vessel (pithos) with a capacity of 20 litres (h = 39.2 cm; d = 35.0 cm), decorated with a raised band below the rim; a medium-sized bowl with a capacity of 2.5 litres (h = 16.9 cm; d = 23.2 cm); a medium-sized jug with a capacity of 0.6 litres (h = 12.0 cm; d = 13.4 cm); and the base of a jar-shaped vessel.

The coarse handmade pottery was produced using the coil-building technique, by stacking and shaping coils of clay prepared from a paste tempered with crushed fired clay (grog) and sand. The vessel surfaces are uneven and covered with a yellowish-red slip featuring black patches, while the core of the vessel walls is black in colour.

The three vessels preserved intact display well-defined biconical shapes, with their maximum diameter at the middle of the body and straight or slightly oblique rims with rounded edges. Pottery of this type is characteristic of the Early Medieval cultural area of the northern and northwestern Black Sea region, dating from the 5th to the 7th centuries. East of the Dniester River, on the territory of present-day Ukraine, analogous pottery is found in Penkovka-type settlements, while in the Carpathian-Dniester region it is characteristic of settlements belonging to the Costișa-Botoșana-Hansca cultural group.

Within the Prut-Dniester region, coarse biconical pottery is generally represented by fragments and only relatively rarely by complete vessels, such as those discovered at Hansca, Dănceni, Recea, Seliște, Păhărniceni, and other sites. This type of pottery constituted an indispensable component of the local material culture during the 5th-7th centuries. In this context, the discovery at Bălceana of an almost intact set of coarse biconical vessels represents a relatively rare find of considerable scientific importance.

According to certain hypotheses, the tradition of coarse biconical pottery dating to the 5th-7th centuries originated in the North Pontic region. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that these biconical ceramic vessels were the result of contemporary ethnocultural interactions, developing simultaneously across the vast territory extending from the Carpathian Mountains to the Dnieper River and the Seversky Donets.

Virtual Tour


Events Archive

Book Launch: "Two Missions in Germany. Unofficial About the Official"

December 17, 2024

On December 17, 2024, the National Museum of History of Moldova hosted the launch of the two-volume book "Two Missions in Germany. Unofficial About the Official", written by Igor Corman-historian, diplomat, politician, and entrepreneur from the Republic of Moldova. The event marked the author's 55th anniversary and brought together notable figures in diplomacy, history, and literature, who paid tribute to the author through their speeches.

Igor Volnițchi, a communication expert and the book's first reader, described "Two Missions in Germany. Unofficial About the Official" as a work with a strong historical character, detailing significant events from the periods it covers. "It's an easy-to-read book that showcases Igor Corman's subtle sarcasm and fine humor. It provides insight into what it means to be a diplomat and serves as an encouragement for ambassadors to write their memoirs," said Volnițchi.

Eugen Sava, Ph.D., general director of the National Museum of History of Moldova, highlighted that the two volumes represent an excellent historical study, shaped by the author's personal perspective as a diplomat.

Mihai Popov, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and member of the Diplomatic Council of the MFA, reminisced about his first interaction with Igor Corman in 1995 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He congratulated Corman for remaining the same professional diplomat, skilled communicator, and dignified individual throughout his years of diplomatic, political, and personal experience. "These books are just the beginning-or a continuation", Popov added.


Aurelian Dănilă, Ph.D. in Art Studies, university professor, and diplomat, described Igor Corman as a "gifted diplomat" and called the book "the best and most comprehensive document on Germany." "It is a deep analytical study, written by a professional hand, by someone who lived these experiences and recounted them in an engaging manner. This extraordinary work serves as inspiration for other ambassadors to follow suit," Dănilă said.

Ion Stăvilă, historian and diplomat, emphasized that launching a book is the greatest gift one can give themselves, as a book is like a monument that endures beyond one's lifetime. "Two Missions in Germany. Unofficial About the Official" is not a classic memoir but a serious monographic study of contemporary German history and Moldovan-German bilateral relations. "It is a valuable and engaging resource for students and novice diplomats, breaking many myths about diplomatic work. Elegantly written, it offers readers a unique pleasure. I've discovered a writer in Igor Corman and urge him not to stop here," Stăvilă declared.

Gheorghe Postică, professor and Ph.D., noted, "This work makes a remarkable contribution to understanding not only contemporary German history but also bilateral relations, demonstrating the importance of innovative diplomatic approaches and the author's personal perspective on historical events."

Igor Șarov, rector of Moldova State University and one of the first readers of the book, said: "I have known Igor Corman for years and can attest that he pours passion and soul into everything he does. This book is no exception. It's a beautiful accomplishment that deserved to be published and widely read and studied."

"This two-volume work is dedicated to my family, who supported me throughout this journey, to Moldovan diplomats, and to all friends of the Republic of Moldova in Germany," noted Igor Corman.



 

 


Independent Moldova
Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic
Bessarabia and MASSR between the Two World Wars
Bessarabia and Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in the Period between the Two World Wars
Revival of National Movement
Time of Reforms and their Consequences
Abolition of Autonomy. Bessarabia – a New Tsarist Colony
Period of Relative Autonomy of Bessarabia within the Russian Empire
Phanariot Regime
Golden Age of the Romanian Culture
Struggle for Maintaining of Independence of Moldova
Formation of Independent Medieval State of Moldova
Era of the
Great Nomad Migrations
Early Middle Ages
Iron Age and Antiquity
Bronze Age
Aeneolithic Age
Neolithic Age
Palaeolithic Age
  
  

Come to Museum! Discover the History!
  
Visit museum
Visit museum
Summer schedule: daily
10am – 6pm.

Winter schedule: daily
10am – 5pm.
Closed on Mondays.
Entrance fees:  adults - 50 MDL, Pensioners, students - 20 lei, pupils - 10 MDL. Free access: enlisted men (...)

WiFi Free Wi-Fi Zone in the museum: In the courtyard of the National History Museum of Moldova there is Wi-Fi Internet access for visitors.


#Exhibit of the Month

The ceramic vessel set was discovered accidentally in October 2025 in the southwestern part of the village of Bălceana, Hâncești District, approximately 1.2 km from the Lăpușnița River. The archaeological materials were recovered by the National Archaeological Agency...

Read More >>

































The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2026 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

 



The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2026 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

menu
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2026 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC