#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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Events Archive

Festive meeting dedicated to the Professional Day of Historians 2024

June 18, 2024

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Blue Hall of the National Museum of History of Moldova hosted the festive meeting dedicated to the Professional Day of Historians, established by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Moldova no. 427 of June 10, 2011. The event was attended by historians, teachers, ethnographers, museographers, archivists, students and all history lovers.

The meeting was moderated by dr. hab. university professor Anatol Petrencu (President of the Association of Historians from the Republic of Moldova "Alexandru Moșanu") and dr. hab. Gheorghe Cojocaru (Director of the Institute of History). The event was opened by dr. Adriana Cazacu, Secretary of State, Ministry of Education and Research, who on this occasion addressed congratulatory words to the community of historians from the Republic of Moldova.

Greetings and congratulations were made by dr. Igor Sharov (Rector of the State University of Moldova), mem. cor. Ion Hadârcă (Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova); Ghenadie Donos (President of the Trade Union Federation of Education and Research); dr. Monica Babuc (Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute "Mihai Eminescu" in Chisinau) and other representatives of research institutes, universities, agencies, museums, etc. On behalf of the National Museum of History of Moldova, with a message of greeting spoke dr. hab. Gheorghe Postică, who also emphasized the role of museums in promoting history and national values.

During the festive meeting, Diplomas were offered as a sign of high gratitude for the beautiful activity in the field of history, as well as on the occasion of Professional Day of Historians.

The event culminated with an artistic moment, supported by the students of the "Alexei Stârcea" School of Arts.