#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 volume “Poles in Moldova. History and present”

December 14th, 2015

The book POLONEZII ÎN MOLDOVA. ISTORIE ŞI CONTEMPORANIETATE. CULEGERE DE STUDII ŞI DOCUMENTE " (Poles in Moldova. History and Contemporaneity. Collection of studies and documents) (Chișinău - Poznań - Warszawa, 2015, 368 p.) was released on Monday, December 14^th, 2015 at the National Museum of History of Moldova.

Coordinators of volume: conf. dr. Lilia ZABOLOTNAIA (National Museum of History of Moldova, Academy of Sciences of Moldova); prof. dr. hab. Ilona CZAMAŃSKA (History Department of Adam Mickiewicz University from Poznań, President of Balkan Studies Committee of Academy of Sciences of Poland, chief editor of international journal „Balcanica Posnaniensia").

The event was attended by over 80 persons representing various institutions: Ministry of Culture, State University of Moldova, State Pedagogical University „Ion Creangă", Cultural Heritage Institute, History Institute, National Museum of History of Moldova, representatives of Polish community from Moldova (Polish organizations: Liga Polskich Kobiet, Polska Wiosna w Moldawii, Krakowianka etc.), writers, students etc.

At the event, moderated by dr. hab. prof. Eugen Sava, director of the National Museum of History of Moldova, several guests spoke: H.E. Artur Michalski, Ambassador of Poland in Moldova; dr. hab. prof. univ. Gheorghe Postică, deputy minister of culture of Moldova; dr. hab. prof. univ. Victor Ţvircun, academician-coordinator of Humanities and Arts Section of ASM; H.E. Anton Coșa, Roman-Catholic Bishop of Chișinău; H.E. Mátyás Szilágyi, Ambassador of Hungary in Moldova; dr. hab. prof. Anatol Petrencu, SUM; dr. conf. Ion Gumenîi, dean of History and Philosophy Department of SUM; Vera Petuhova, deputy director of Bureau of Inter-ethnic Relations; Valeria Martin, president of NGO ,,League of Polish Women".

The speakers mentioned the studies regarding the history of Poles in Moldova and secular Moldovan-Polish relations, remarkable people of Polish origin, activity of public organizations of Poles in Moldova etc. It was highlighted in particular the scientific value of the book released for national and international historiography.

Launch of the volume “Poles in Moldova. History and present”

Dr. Lilia Zabolotnaia mentioned this was the third book published with the financial support of the Embassy of Poland in Moldova. This volume is important because it was elaborated as part of a scientific project with the same title. For the first time, for project purpose was engaged an important scientific potential from academic and university environment from Moldova and Poland: Cultural Heritage Institute and History Institute of ASM, NMHM, SUM, Adam Mickiewicz University from Poznań, Katowice University and Krakow University, Institute of Slavic Studies of the Academy of Sciences of Poland etc.

The collection is divided into 3 sections and 22 articles. The volume addresses problems of Polish community in Moldova's history, from Middle Ages to the present. The collection includes a wide range of studies covering different fields: medieval archaeology, numismatics, architecture, art, history, social and dynastic history, political and military history, spiritual life and history of personalities etc. The study is published in three languages: Romanian, Polish and Russian, each article having 4 abstracts.

The volume demonstrates clearly the importance of Poles in Moldovan history.

The publication is addressed to historians, politicians, diplomats, students and to all those interested in and passionate by history.