#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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Round table "Archaeologist Emanuil RIKMAN - 100 years since his birth"

April 13, 2023

On April 13, the National Museum of History of Moldova hosted the round table "Archaeologist Emanuil RIKMAN - 100 years since his birth", organized by the Archeology Sector of the museum in partnership with the Faculty of History and Philosophy of the State University of Moldova and National Archaeological Agency.

The event was organized within the project "Museum heritage and historical memory: research, interpretation, presentation" (number 20.80009.0807.43), financed by the State Program (2020-2023) and aimed to bring the scientific work to the fore of archaeologist Emanuil Rikman and to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth.

The event was opened by dr. hab Eugen Sava, General Director NMHM. The round table was attended by numerous specialists in the field of archeology and ancient history, as well as enthusiasts of these subjects, who followed with interest the communications presented by the special guests.

Among them were dr. hab., prof. univ. Gheorghe Postică, who spoke about the scientific legacy of the scientist Emanuil A. Rikman, dr. Sergiu Matveev, who presented the archaeological sites of Emanuil Rikman in the North of the Republic of Moldova, the excavations at Sobari, dr. Vlad Vornic, who discussed the archaeological sites of Emanuil Rikman in the central and southern areas of the Republic of Moldova, the excavations at Budești and Costești, as well as dr. assoc. prof. Ion Tentiuc, who presented the archaeological collections of Emanuil Rikman from the funds of the National Museum of History of Moldova.

The round table ended with discussions and evocations about Emanuil Rikman and with the inauguration in the upstairs hall of an exhibition dedicated to the archaeologist Emanuil Rikman, which will be open for visits from April 13 to May 24, 2023, in the upper hall of the National Museum of History of Moldova, str. 31 August 1989, 121A.

This scientific event once again demonstrated the importance of research, interpretation and presentation of cultural and historical heritage and represented an excellent opportunity to reflect on Emanuil Rikman's contribution to the development of archeology and ancient history in the Republic of Moldova.

#Exhibit of the Month

Stone Battle Axe Discovered at Aluniș, Rîșcani District

Round table "Archaeologist Emanuil RIKMAN - 100 years since his birth"

April 13, 2023

#Exhibit of the Month