#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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Events Archive

Opening of the exhibition "About the Polish language"

September 26, 2023

On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, the opening of the exhibition "About the Polish language" took place, organized by the Polish Institute in Bucharest in partnership with the National Museum of History of Moldova in the context of the European Day of Languages. This holiday was established in 2001 by the European Union and the Council of Europe and is celebrated annually on September 26. The European Day of Languages aims to bring to the public's attention the great linguistic variety of Europe, to promote cultural heritage and linguistic diversity, to encourage people of all ages to learn foreign languages, as well as to promote language-related professions.

At the opening of the exhibition, H.E. Mr. Tomasz Kobzdej, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Chisinau, Mrs. Katarzyna Zalaszewska, project coordinator of the Polish Institute in Bucharest and Mrs. Livia Sîrbu, deputy director of the National Museum of History of Moldova made welcoming speeches. The speakers pointed out the importance and role of the mother tongue for each person, community and nation, referring to the national values of each state. In addition, they emphasized the importance of collaborations between these institutions in order to strengthen cultural relations between Poland and the Republic of Moldova.

The exhibition consists of 15 banners, which present the uniqueness of the Polish alphabet and language in their entire splendor, offering us in a fun way (through text and drawing) to learn the secrets of the Polish language, the history of the language, the basic rules of pronunciation, as well as numerous curiosities. Everyone can find out, among other things, what is the oldest sentence written in Polish, what are the "strange" letters of the Polish alphabet, as well as onomatopoeic expressions, which sound funny and literally whistle, squeak and creak on the exhibition panels.

It is very important to understand that the exhibition not only allows us to discover more information about Polish, but also encourages us to learn this interesting language that is spoken by more than 40 million people around the world.

The exhibition can be seen on the fence of the National Museum of History of Moldova from September 26 to October 26, 2023.