#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

Events Archive

Launch of the book „History, truth and myths”

June 16th, 2015

On June 16th, The National Museum of History of Moldova hosted the book launch „History, truth and myths", Editura Enciclopedică, București, 2014, 400 p., signed by academician univ. prof. dr. Ioan-Aurel Pop, rector of University „Babeș-Bolyai" from Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

The event, which was organized by the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, was attended by over 100 persons - academicians, historians, university professors, students of History Department - among whom: vice-president of ASM acad. Ion Tighineanu, vice-president of ASM associate Ion Guceac, acad. Andrei Eșanu, univ. prof. dr. hab. Alexandru Moșanu; director of the Romanian Cultural Institute „Mihai Eminescu" from Chișinău Valeriu Matei, H.E. Ambassador of Romania in the Republic of Moldova Marius Lazurcă, vice-rector of University „Babeș-Bolyai" from Cluj univ. prof. dr. Ioan Bolovan, univ. prof. dr. Sorin Șipoș from the University of Oradea ș.a.

The book „History, truth and myths" is an analysis of Lucian Boia's work „History and myth in Romanian consciousness", it is a scientific answer to the attempts of falsifying the history of Romanians.

The need for these reading notes on "demystification" of Romanian history, as stated by the author himself "... raises from professional solidarity, as Mr. Boia and those who follow him, create the belief that historical research has no sense, is false, misleading and full of myths". Another reason for the publication of an "over-sized" review is the spread of Mr. Boia's ideas abroad where we are presented in a distorted way with damaging propaganda results.
About the notorious historian from Cluj and the scientific value of his book spoke the director of the Institute of History dr. hab. Gheorghe Cojocaru, associate of ASM univ. prof. dr. hab. Demir Dragnev, univ. prof. dr. hab. Alexandru Moșanu, univ. prof. dr. hab. Anatol Petrencu, historian dr. Marius Tărâță, director of the Romanian Cultural Institute „Mihai Eminescu" Valeriu Matei, chief editor of weekly „Literatura și Arta" associate of ASM Nicolae Dabija, univ. prof. dr. Ioan Bolovan, univ. prof. dr. Sorin Șipoș.

On the occasion of his arrival in Chișinău, Ioan Aurel Pop was conferred the title of Honorary Member of ASM.
Professor Ioan-Aurel Pop is author of over 50 books, publications of historic resources, university treaties and textbooks and collective works and over 300 studies, articles, reviews, reports, chronicles, prefaces etc. in separate volumes and special journals and cultural publications.

Ioan-Aurel Pop is rector of the University Babeș-Bolyai, member of the Romanian Academy, director of the center of Transilvanian Studies of the Romanian Academy, being specialized in medieval history, medieval institutions and Latin paleography.

Before becoming rector of the University Babeș-Bolyai in Cluj, Ioan-Aurel Pop was director of the Romanian Cultural Center in New York (1994-1995) and director of the Romanian Cultural and Humanistic Research Institute in Venice (2003-2007).

From 1989, Ioan-Aurel Pop is a PhD in history with the thesis „Princely meetings in Transilvania in the 14th-16th centuries", he became the youngest associate of the Romanian Academy and from 2010 is member of the Romanian Academy.

Launch of the book: Ioan-Aurel Pop, „History, truth and myths” , București, Editura Enciclopedică, 2014. 402 p.

#Exhibit of the Month

Glass Goblet from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov Cemetery (4th Century AD) in Tigheci

Launch of the book „History, truth and myths”

June 16th, 2015

#Exhibit of the Month