#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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Opening of the exhibition "Chisinau through time"

October 12, 2022

On October 12, at 16:00, at the National Museum of History of Moldova was opened the exhibition "Chisinau through time" by the fine artist and poet Galina Vieru.

The exhibition "Chisinau through time" includes a series of works based on legends and realities, which reveal the white stone face of this city, indented and polished by time, through its people and centuries. The painting collection calls to knowledge and discovery, to openness and light, to new steps that will seek in the hum of this gigantic nest, its beauty and its charm.

"I prepared this exhibition with a lot of dedication and with a lot of love. I painted the historic buildings, to emphasize their importance in the urban environment, their classical architectural beauty, to show in painting how they shine, how they influence us as residents of this city and to extend their life not only through painting, but also to inspire people to preserve these edifices, to fight for them, to continue to visit them and to emphasize their beauty always. I particularly like two works: the National Philharmonic and the Nativity Cathedral. Chisinau is my home. I've been here since I was 15. Here I found my purpose, love and started a family" said Galina Vieru.

Elena Postică, deputy director of NMHM, mentioned that through this exhibition, the artist and poet Galina Vieru points out the beauty of this city, its charm and pulse, as a sign of gratitude and admiration for it. Just as every place in the world has a story, a history, so the thread of the city of Chisinau springs from a series of legends in which the truth and the mythical, the fantastic and the reality are interwoven.

Inga Edu, the head of the painting section of the Union of Plastic Artists from Moldova, mentioned that Galina Vieru is an artist who loves her country, her native land and everything that is beautiful in our land, including the traditions from the villages that we also see in her works.

The art critic Eleonora Sâdnic noted that Galina Vieru comes with a new perspective on reality, on life and is, as the late writer Nicolae Dabija said, "a poet in painting and a painter in poetry."

The exhibition "Chisinau through time" can be seen on the ground floor of the National Museum of History of Moldova (Str. 31 August 1989 no. 121 A) from October 12 to November 30, 2022.

#Exhibit of the Month

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

Opening of the exhibition "Chisinau through time"

October 12, 2022

#Exhibit of the Month