#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

"Moldova has art. Chisinau has art"

June 7, 2024

On June 7, in the yard of the National Museum of History of Moldova, Aquarelle organized the third edition of the event dedicated to the promotion of the country's cultural treasure - "Moldova has art. Chisinau has art", which brought prominent personalities from the art world and talented young people at the beginning of their careers on the same stage. The initiative provided a valuable platform for new talent to be discovered and supported by the community.

Under the baton of artistic director Alexandru Rotaru and conductor Cristian Spătaru, the Municipal Chamber Orchestra "Camerata Chisinau" offered an unforgettable evening. Along with special guests, including Natalia Tanasiiciuc, Vitalie Maciunschi, Marian Stîrcea, Anna Odobescu, Elena Demirdjean, Lilia Șolomei, Constantin Friptuleac, Aliona Triboi, Eugen Negruța, as well as talented young people from educational institutions with an arts profile in Chisinau, the event demonstrated the diversity and cultural richness of Moldova.

The work of local painters and sculptors was also in the spotlight, with works of art on display for admiration and purchase. Thus, the participants had the opportunity to interact and admire the works of Iurie Matei, Vasile Botnaru, Alexei Gurschii, Larisa Stati, Nicoleta Stati, Anastasia Racovcena, Cristina Balan, Olesea Muntean, Olivia Furtună, Natalia Romanenco, Inga Orehova, Inga Edu, Serghei Kliuchnikoff, Ion Carchelan, Mari Iurskaya, Maria Sclearenco, Natalia Iampoliskaia, Irina Bardița, Yuliana Klichevki, Artatito, Viorica Puzur, Cristina Mândru, Aliona Ocnean, Silvia Nicolaescu, Tatiana Turcanu, Alina Vicol, Diana Memeț, Lidia Grozav, Stela Postolache, Alexandra Bondac and others.

#Exhibit of the Month

Stone Battle Axe Discovered at Aluniș, Rîșcani District

"Moldova has art. Chisinau has art"

June 7, 2024

#Exhibit of the Month