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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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Musical literary show „We are here to carol!”

December 23rd, 2015

It is a tradition for Christmas holidays for the National Museum of History of Moldova to organize shows for children from socially and financially vulnerable families. The purpose of these activities is to promote the rights of children and their families and facilitate their integration into the society. Also, these activities provide an opportunity for these children to enter the wonderful world of winter holidays, to get to know better winter traditions and meet Santa Claus.

On December 23rd, the National Museum of History of Moldova (coordinator: Larisa Bardier) in collaboration with the Social service „Personal Assistance" (coordinator: Tatiana Plucci) and the Center for Aesthetic Education „Lăstărel" (coordinators: Alexandr Cocean, Viorica Florea and Elena Prutean) have organized a musical literary show for children from disadvantaged families living in the municipality of Chișinău of with the title „We are here to carol!". The show was performed by artistic groups of the Center for Aesthetic Education „Lăstărel": Boy's Choir „Academia Campanelli", coordinator Elena Gulpac; Vocal group „Ell-By-Star", coordinator Nelea Maslo, concert maestro Mariana Ganea; Folk group „Dumbrăvița", coordinator Marina Dumbrăveanu, concert maestro Victor Dumbrăveanu; Instrumental group of Fanfare Orchestra „Tenore", coordinator Ion Cojocaru, concert maestro Victor Pogonii; Vocal-choral group „Alegria", coordinator Vasile Roșioru; Vocal group „Tinerețe Floare", coordinator Marcel Stoian; Vocal circle lead by Evghenia Bolotova; Dramatic circle „Copăcel", coordinator Andrei Graur.

From the Program:
1. Suite of carols „Aprindeți luminile", „Şedric", „Veniți gazdă la fereastră" and „Colindăm, colindăm iarna", performed by Boy's Choir „Academia Campanelli".
2. Instrumental song „Am venit să colindăm!", performed by Instrumental group of Fanfare Orchestra „Tenore".
3. Poem „Iarna" by Georgeta Voinovan, presented by Mădălina Graur, member of Dramatic circle „Copăcel".
4. Christmas Carol with Diana Stoica, solo singer of vocal group „Tinerețe Floare".
5. Song „Steaua Crăciunului", performed by vocal group „Ell-By-Star".
6. Carol „O, ce veste minunată", performed by Maria Godoroja, solo singer of vocal-choral group „Alegria".
7. Song „Iară e Crăciunul", performed by Vocal group „Ell-By-Star".
8. Instrumental song „Clopoței", performed by Instrumental group of Fanfare Orchestra „Tenore".
9. Song „Noaptea de Crăciun", performed by Cujbă Valeria and Beziazîcinîi Denis, members of vocal circle.
10. Artistic moment of winter traditions, performed by Folk group „Dumbrăvița".

At the end of the show the children received gifts from Santa Claus.



 

 


Independent Moldova
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Bessarabia and MASSR between the Two World Wars
Bessarabia and Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in the Period between the Two World Wars
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Time of Reforms and their Consequences
Abolition of Autonomy. Bessarabia – a New Tsarist Colony
Period of Relative Autonomy of Bessarabia within the Russian Empire
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Golden Age of the Romanian Culture
Struggle for Maintaining of Independence of Moldova
Formation of Independent Medieval State of Moldova
Era of the
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#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)...

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The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2025 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

 



The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2025 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

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The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2025 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC