#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

Scientific Symposium "Works of Architect Valentin Voitsekhovsky"

August 10, 2012

The Scientific Symposium "Works of Architect Valentin Voitsekhovsky" held on August 10, 2012 at the National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova, along with the opening of the exhibition with the same name, was organized to commemorate 35 years from the death of architect V. Voitsekhovsky, who has greatly contributed to the reconstruction of postwar Chisinau and the urban construction in the country.

The symposium was attended by about 30 people from different state institutions: Academy of Sciences of Moldova, "Urban Proiect", City Museum, National Library of RM, National Archives of RM, etc.

The symposium was conducted by Ms. Ludmila Nastase, Head of the A. V. Shchusev's House Museum, and Ms. Tamara Nesterov, architect, Doctor of Arts. The program included the following reports:

            „In memoriam" (Grigory Bosenko)
            „Works of Architect Valentin Voitsekhovsky" (Tamara Nesterov)
            „Some aspects of the work of architect V. Voitsekhovsky" (Veaceslav Regep)
            „Architect V. Voitsekhovsky and his students" (Mariana Şlapac)
            „Remembering V. Voitsekhovsky" (Aurel Marinciuc)
            „Pieces of biography of my father" (Nina Grosul-Voitsekhovsky)

Materials presented in the reports aroused great interest, in particular because of the fact that in the architecture of the Soviet period there are still many „white spots" about the work of architects who have contributed to Chisinau postwar reconstruction. As to the works of architect V. Voitsekhovsky, there are still many unidentified projects related to the construction of many churches in Bessarabia and buildings in a number of cities in Romania - Bucharest, Pitesti, Brasov.

Materials of the symposium will be published in a separate booklet.