#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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Research Research Projects

"Identification, documentation, research, and promotion of the museum collections" (2011-2012)

Currently the museum realizes a project on identification, documentation, research, and promotion of the museum collections (2011-2012).

The museum's property as a part of national heritage is an important factor for preservation of the identity and cultural and national values, sustainable development, social harmony, and intercultural dialogue in the country and abroad. The museum's property is indispensable for a balanced and complete life; it must be documented, researched, preserved and made accessible to the public and scientists. Research and presentation of the values are a means to guarantee everyone the right of access to resources of cultural values for the better understanding of the national and world history and culture, both at present and in the future. Knowledge and the scientific and public use of museum collections should be recognized a natural consequence of the role and place of museum institutions in contemporary society.

The project is focused on two main objectives:

- Scientific documentation of the archaeological collections, which involves the identification of their origin, identification of the conditions under which they were found, establishing their cultural and historical (museum) significance. This documentation is essential and fundamental for the scientific research, conservation, and knowledge of archeological artifacts;

- Research of the collections of documents, which will result in the new forms of publication of the research results: scientific catalogs, directories, encyclopedic editions) and also contribute to the democratization of the museum and broadening of the public access to museum property values.

The project will contribute to the development of quality standards for scientific records of museum values, to scientific and cultural dialogue on the national and international level based on the reporting of the research results, and to awakening in the society the consciousness of cultural and historic heritage values.