#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

The National Carpet Fair "Carpet of Longing", the 10th edition

December 17, 2023

On December 17, 2023, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova, the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History (MNEIN) and the National Center for the Conservation and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage (CNCPPCI) organized the National Carpet Fair "Carpet of Longing", the edition of X.

The event was dedicated to bark - an element of traditional Romanian culture, entered on December 1, 2016, in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, following the joint nomination of this tradition by Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

Petru Vicol, director of the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, stated that ten years after the first edition, we can see that our traditional bark has found its place of honor in Bessarabian homes.

At the 10th edition of the event, certificates were handed out to the Living Human Treasure Bearers, folk craftsmen: Zaharia Triboi, Silvia Antohi, Dumitru Constandache, Constantin Cojan, Antonina Rusu, Natalia Cangea, Eugenia Moldovanu, Parascovia Pasat, Gheorghe Pantir, Efrosinia Sofronovici, Tudor Ungureanu and trophies to participants and institutions for actions to safeguard and promote the craft: Ludmila Scutaru, village of Mihăileni, r. Râșcani; Ecaterina Popescu, Clişova Noua, Orhei, Rustic Art Crafts Center; Ioana Lăzărescu, Ignăţei village, Rezina district; TVR Moldova; Moldova 1; National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History; National Center for Conservation and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

During this event, the exhibition "Fabrics from the center of Moldova" was inaugurated. Echoes of tradition in modernity", which includes old carpets from the MNEIN collection and from the collections of other institutions: the National Museum of History of Moldova, the Museum of History and Ethnography in the city of Călărași, the Museum of History and Ethnography of the municipality of Strășeni, the Museum Casa Mare- Vatra Dumeștilor from Vorniceni, or. Străseni, Museum of History and Ethnography village of Ciuciuleni, Hâncești district, Museum of History and Ethnography town. Nisporeni, Regional Museum of History and Ethnography "Anatol Candu" from Văsieni village, Ialoveni district.