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.
New cartographic materials on the ancient ramparts of Budzhak
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
The article presents new materials on the cartography of the ancient defensive valla of Southern Bessarabia, or Budzhak. In the scientific use there is introduced the previously unknown topographical map of 1864, which marked the coastal part of the Lower Dniester (Serpent's) Wall, as well as other data that clarify the topography of these sites.
List of illustrations:
Fig. 1. Land plots of the Şaba and Şabalat villages on the map of Bessarabia of 1828.
Fig. 2. Fragment of A.P. Chirkov's „Special Map", 1864.
Fig. 3. Part of the Lower Dniester (Serpent's) Wall on A.P. Chirkov's „Special Map", 1864.
Fig. 4. Land plots of the Talmaza and Cioburciu villages on the map of Bessarabia of 1828.
Fig. 5. Land plot of Akkerman on the map of Bessarabia of 1828.
Fig. 6. Land plot of the Nekrasovka vilage on the map of Bessarabia of 1828.
Fig. 7. Area of the Monastyrsky Cape on the map of the Danube Delta of the European Danube Commission, 1887.
Fig. 8. Area of the Monastyrsky Cape on the German map of 1941.
Fig 9. Tashbunar village and a part of the Lower Trajan's Wall on the German map of 1941.
Fig. 10. Fortification near the Novosel'skoye village on the map of the Danube Delta, 1860s.
Fig. 11. Fortification near the Novosel'skoye village on "The map of the Balkan Peninsula covering the entire theatre of war of 1877-1878".
Игорь Сапожников, Майя Кашуба
A.A. Matveev’s works in 1890 in the vicinity of Akkerman at the instruction of Imperial Archaeological Commission: surveys, excavations, investigation of the ancient plate with a Latin inscription
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XVI [XXXI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică, Chişinău, 2022
Игорь Сапожников
The beginning of the study of Budjak burial mounds: historiography and cartography
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XII [XXVII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Игорь Сапожников, Юрий Болтрик
Yagorlyk mounds near the Dniester: history of study, cartography and topography
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XII [XXVII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Игорь Сапожников, Майя Кашуба
Anadol and Dmitrovka coin hoards of Southern Bessarabia: Reconstruction of chance finds in the end of the 19th century
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XV [XXX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică, Chişinău, 2021
Игорь Сапожников, Александр Синельников
The amphorae from the Northwest Black Sea water area
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIV [XXIX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică, Chişinău, 2020
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 National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
