#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.

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Inauguration of the exhibition "Czech castles in the heart of Moldova"

May 15, 2024

On International Family Day, the exhibition "Czech Castles in the Heart of Moldova" was inaugurated at the National Museum of History of Moldova, an event realized in partnership with the National Museum of the Czech Republic and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Chisinau.

Prominent officials were present at the opening ceremony, including Miloš Vystrčil, president of the Senate of the Czech Republic, Liliana Nicolaescu-Onofrei, president of the Culture, Education, Research, Youth, Sports and Mass Media Commission of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, and Stanislav Kázecký, Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Chisinau. The director of the National Museum of the Czech Republic, Michal Lukeš, and the director of the National Museum of History of Moldova, Eugen Sava, also participated, together with diplomats, people of culture and art.

The President of the Senate of the Czech Republic, Miloš Vystrčil, thanked the museum for hosting and emphasized the exhibition's contribution to the development of cultural relations between the two countries. He paid tribute to students from various educational institutions in the Republic of Moldova who made models of Czech castles, thus contributing to the visual richness of the exhibition.

The exhibition "Czech Castles in the Heart of Moldavia" presents a selection of 12 representative castles and fortresses from Bohemia and Moravia, historical areas of the contemporary Czech Republic. The selection includes UNESCO-listed sites such as Prague, Český Krumlov and Kroměříž, but also other outstanding monuments such as Karlštejn, Křivoklát and Jindřichův Hradec. The exhibition offers a glimpse into the cultural richness of the Czech Republic, including romantic ruins, castles converted into residences and modern palaces surrounded by splendid parks.

This exhibition illustrates the diversity and importance of Czech castles and fortresses, which were originally the residences of social elites, rulers, aristocracy and religious institutions. Many of these, built in the Middle Ages and transformed in modern times, are now preserved in their authentic form and managed by various institutions and private individuals. The Czech Republic boasts one of the highest densities of castles and fortresses per square kilometer in the world, cementing its reputation as the "land of castles and fortresses".

The exhibition "Czech Castles in the Heart of Moldova" will remain open to the public until June 16, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the cultural treasures of the Czech Republic.