#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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Opening of the "I Love Sushi" exhibition

July 13, 2023

On July 13, at the National Museum of History of Moldova, took place the opening of the "I Love Sushi" exhibition, organized in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Moldova and the Japan Foundation.

The Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Moldova, Yamada Yoichiro, emphasized the close connection between food and a country's culture, expressing its attitude towards life through ingredients, the method of preparation and associated culinary traditions. His Excellency also noted that although sushi may seem like a simple food, fishermen in Japan have developed specific skills over the centuries to clean and preserve the fish immediately after the catch, keeping it fresh and tasty. Like many peoples with distinct culinary traditions, the Japanese are proud of their national cuisine, which reflects aspects of life. In 2013, UNESCO included Washoku, the traditional Japanese food, in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Livia Sîrbu, deputy director at the National Museum of History of Moldova, explained the exhibition concept, which was developed by the Japanese Foundation and is described in a manual on the basis of which the exhibition was organized. The exhibition is divided into three sections: introduction to sushi and discoveries related to this food, sushi in the Edo period, which highlights the cultural differences of this art, and sushi today. The exhibition has already been successfully hosted in Bucharest and is to be inaugurated in Spain as well.

Ana Varzari, general secretary at the Ministry of Culture, mentioned that Japan and the Republic of Moldova celebrated 30 years of diplomatic relations in March 2022, emphasizing the importance of this partnership. Both diplomatic missions made significant efforts to strengthen and promote national culture. Japanese gastronomic culture is characterized by naturalness, beauty and tradition, and sushi has become a famous creation of Japanese cuisine, influencing Western customs.

The "I Love Sushi" exhibition will be open to the general public until August 15, in Hall no. 1, ground floor, National Museum of History of Moldova, Chisinau, 31 August 1989 street, 121A.

#Exhibit of the Month

Stone Battle Axe Discovered at Aluniș, Rîșcani District

Opening of the "I Love Sushi" exhibition

July 13, 2023

#Exhibit of the Month