#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.

Virtual Tour

Publications

Albums

Eugen Sava, Aurelia Cornețchi, Elena Postică, Elena Ploșnița

National Museum of History of Moldova 1983-2013

Series “Albums” I, Chisinau, 2013. 191 p. ISBN 978-9975-80-811-8.

Founded in 1983, the National Museum of History of Moldova has become over the years a cultural and scientific institution with recognized identity, an important segment of the national memory. Ever since its creation, the museum has permanently pleaded for protection, scientific and public use of historical-cultural heritage; it became scene of specialist scientific debate, lead and created rules in Moldovan museography, proposed and promoted law projects in this field, various legal acts, promoted continuously a cultural and scientific dialogue, always campaigned for exhibition accessible to a large public.

Nowadays, the museum holds an important place in the hierarchy of Moldovan museum system given the contribution to the development of Moldovan museology gradually evolving into an institution with individuality and given its attitude towards the public which is supporting the museum and perceiving it as part of daily culture.

At the end of 2013, the National Museum of History marked the 30^th anniversary from its foundation. The anniversary was marked by the publication of the Album National Museum of History of Moldova 1983-2013. The work was inspired by the respect for the museum and its audience, by the knowledge of national values and the need to present and promote the museum institution. Also, the album is a tribute to all those who through their concerns have contributed to the creation and development of the National Museum of History. The album is an intellectual achievement worthy for the documental history presented.

Printed with hardcover, the content of the volume illustrates key moments and events relating to the organization and development of the museum over 30 years. The album is structured in several sections: Foreword, Short history, Heritage, Exhibitions, Scientific activities, Cultural-educational events, Personnel. Regarded as a whole, the album represents a valuable contribution to the development of Moldovan museology. The volume contains around 170 images reflecting museum's various activities, development of the institution during its 30 years of existence and shows the most significant museum exhibits displayed in the permanent exhibition, in temporary exhibitions and preserved in museum collections. The pictures are of good graphic quality. The images were used by authors to present the museum's past and present.

The reader enters the museum world with the Forward signed by dr.hab. Eugen Sava, general director of the museum, which presents shortly the foundation, evolution and significance of this museum institution. Each compartment is distinguished by a unique design developed by Ivan Litsiuk. The album was prepared by dr. hab. Eugen Sava, Aurelia Cornețchi, dr. Elena Postică, dr.hab. Elena Ploșnița.

The album is a new contribution to a deeper knowledge of Moldovan museological past, an intellectual achievement worthy of note by documentary value and usefulness of the approach in general.

Published in 2013 at the publishing house Bons offices from Chișinău, the album is intended for all those interested and passionate by museum and heritage, wherefore all texts are given in three languages: Romanian, English and Russian. .

Elena Ploșnița