#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.

Virtual Tour

Events Archive

The opening of the exhibition "War Up Close"

August 21, 2024

On August 21, 2024, at the National Museum of History of Moldova, the opening of the exhibition of virtual reality "War Up Close", organized in collaboration with the Office of the Republic of Moldova of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, took place.

The event was opened by the general director of the National History Museum of Moldova, Dr. Hab. Eugen Sava, who emphasized the efforts of the organizers to present a special and authentic project, which illustrates the devastating reality of the unjustified war triggered by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. He also mentioned that the exhibition uses peak technology, including panoramic photos, images captured by drones and 3D modeling, to transform suffering into sensitivity and provide a visceral experience.

Dr. Brigitta Triebel, director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation office in the Republic of Moldova, welcomed the guests at the event, offering an incursion to the main purpose of the exhibition: to bring to the global attention the extent of the human and material disaster, through images that surprise both civil infrastructure affected, as well as the devastated destinies of the millions of Ukrainians.

The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Moldova, Sergiu Prodan, was also present at the event, noting that this exhibition is not only a window to a grim world, but also a call to consciousness, an urge not to forget what is happening in the immediate vicinity, presenting a tragic vision of some actions initiated for personal reasons, where the suffering is carried by those whose existence is just beginning.

The president of the National Congress of Ukrainians in the Republic of Moldova, Dmitro Lecarțev, stressed the hope that this approach will inspire action and solidarity, reminding that each life matters and that together we can bring the change.

About the steps that were undertaken until this special presentation and the work behind the exhibition, Sophia Bilenko, project manager "War Up Close", told us, with the exhibition, together with the Serhii Vorobiov. She specified that each image, every detail, invites the visitor to discover and feel the tangible nature of this tragedy, to reflect on the human suffering and, most importantly, to tend towards the idea of uniting voices in the name of peace and democracy.

#Exhibit of the Month

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

The opening of the exhibition "War Up Close"

August 21, 2024

#Exhibit of the Month