#Exhibit of the Month

Bronze cauldrons of the Scythian time are rare in the Northern Black Sea region, especially on its western borders. Therefore, those few items found on the territory of the Republic of Moldova occupy a worthy place in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova (NMHM). In particular, in the archaeological exhibition, two bronze cauldrons are displayed, discovered near the village of Nicolscoe in 1988 in burial mounds no. 14 and 15. In addition, in 2020, two bronze cauldrons without any accompanying documents were found in the collection of NMHM; however, they were visually identified as coming from various excavations in the Low Dniester region, such as burial mound no. 45 near Dubăsari and burial mound no. 1 near the Răscăieții Noi village.

The object presented as the exhibit of the month is a little-known find discovered in 1979 in barrow 1 near the village of Răscăieții Noi in the Ștefan Vodă district. In addition to its outstanding size (about 10 m high), this mound is known for discovering a cast bronze finial in the Scythian animal style on its surface in 1953. However, by the beginning of excavations, the locals had damaged part of the mound and a Scythian cast bronze cauldron was found near it. The cauldron was seriously damaged by mechanical impact, as a result of which the rim was deformed, and the walls, with one preserved vertical handle, were bent inwards. Fragments in the upper part of the body and one handle have been lost. The total reconstructed height of the cauldron is 24 cm (excluding the handles), the reconstructed diameter of the hemispherical cauldron is 30 cm, and the weight is 6.5 kg. In 2020, data on the chemical composition of the bronze cauldron alloy were obtained, revealing that it was cast from an alloy of almost 95 per cent copper. Unfortunately, due to the loss of information on the context of the discovery of the cauldron at Răscăieții Noi, it is impossible to link its discovery with one or another Scythian burial of the barrow. Moreover, the grave goods of other Scythian burials of Barrow 1 do not allow them to date below the 4th century BC. However, the cauldron with vertical handles from Răscăieții Noi most likely belongs earlier. This may be indicated by a bronze finial from the first half of the 5th century BC, which was found on this barrow in 1953. In addition, burial 7 from the nearest excavated barrow 2 at Răscăieții Noi, containing a plaque depicting a rolled predator (a copy of which is also on display at the NMHM), belongs to the mid- 5th century BC. Thus, there is a high probability that the cauldron from Barrow 1 at Răscăieții Noi is associated with the late Middle Scythian period or the mid-5th century BC.

Scythian bronze cauldrons in the west area are concentrated in three main regions: Bukovina-Podolia, the Lower Danube, and the Lower Dniester. Some Scythian cauldrons have no reliable archaeological context. Nevertheless, in combination with the same "stray" finds like the Scythian statues, the finds of Scythian cauldrons mark the Scythian presence, most likely not earlier than the late 6th century or even the turn of the 6th-5th centuries BC. The cauldrons first appeared in Bukovina, where they have been known since the middle of the 7th century BC. Bronze cauldrons (with their carriers) entered the steppe region 150-200 years later, and the "military" burials that appeared in the western steppe regions were no earlier than the middle of the 5th century BC. Most burials with cauldrons (and, apparently, the stray finds) are dated back to the second half of the 5th century BC. Then, in the early 4th century BC, their quantity was reduced, and after the first quarter of the 4th century BC, they completely disappeared from the cultural practice of the population of the steppes of the North-Western Black Sea region.

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Exhibitions

"Greco-Roman Imports in the Northwestern Black Sea Coast"

30 May - 30 december 2012

The exhibition Greco-Roman Imports in the Northwestern Black Sea Coast is based exclusively on the archaeological collections of the museum. It brings together multiple pieces of different categories: vessels, jewelry, tools, utensils, sculptures, etc. The objects are made of different materials: fired clay, non-ferrous and semiprecious metals, glass and glassy paste, semiprecious stones, marble.

The exhibition aims to show all categories of Greek and Roman imports, which were found in the area to the north of the Black Sea, thereby reflecting the exchange and trade, which lasted over a millennium among the tribes that inhabited the Northwestern Pontic territories, especially those of the Prut-Dniester interfluve.

Exchange relations between different communities have always contributed to changes in the societies in contact, resulting in cultural, economic, and spiritual interference.

The population of Northwestern Pontic territories, including the Prut-Dniester space, during the period from the 6^th century B.C. to the 4^th century A.D. has been substantially influenced by Greek and Roman civilizations in their ascension.

Already in the late 6^th century B.C. the Thraco-Getae-Dacians maintained exchange and trade relations with the Greek settlers and merchants. Among the goods brought by them, the most popular were wine and olive oil; for their transportation and storage were used special vessels - amphorae.

Another category of the Greek import, found in both the Getae barbaric world and the Scythian nomadic tribes, are black-glazed luxury vessels, some painted with red figures; among them there are one of the most beautiful items of Athenian craftsmen - red-figure pelike (a jug for diluted wine) found at Manta and kantharoi - cups with two handles used for drinking wine.

Among the objects ones belonged to the Scythian aristocracy there were widespread jewels of precious metals (gold, silver), glass, and bronze objects, including mirrors and arms. In the Scythian princely tombs of Nicolskoe, Dubasari, Butor there were discovered gold appliqués for clothing, gold earrings.

The archaeological investigations in the Greek towns of the northern and northwestern Black Sea coast led to the discoveries of beautiful marble sculptures, representing the heroes and gods of the Greek pantheon, including the marble head of Hercules.

The Roman conquest of Greek colonies in the early 1^st millennium A.D. has contributed to the appearance of new goods of Roman tradition in the native world of the Northwestern Pontic area. Along with the Thracian population, there were other consumers of the imported goods. Among these there were Sarmatians - a population of Iranian origin (1^st century B.C. - 3^rd century A.D.), and the carriers of Santana de Mures culture (3^rd - 4^th centuries) - a culture with many ethnocultural elements, including the local -Dacian and Roman ones.

Among the categories of import during the Roman period there remain wine and olive oil, which also are brought in amphorae, but already of another shape, which is due to new time and traditions, but keeping the same use.

The Sarmatians, especially wealthier strata, were large consumers of Roman adornments made of gold and silver, semiprecious stones, bronze and glass tableware, such as the bronze bowl from Cazaclia, a bronze pot, and some chance finds.

Among carriers of the Santana de Mures culture here were widespread import vessels made of fired clay, more rarely of glass, as well as multiple adornments of semiprecious stones and glassy paste. The most interesting are gold rings from Mocra.

The influence of Roman culture also penetrated into the northwestern Black Sea region with art and religious objects (marble sculpture).

Close contacts of the population of Prut-Dniester space with representatives of Greek and Roman civilizations have contributed to the development and evolution of local communities, and artifacts presented in the exhibition are an eloquent witness to this relationship.

The exhibition is aimed at both professionals and the general public, everyone who is interested in archeology and ancient history of our region.

#Exhibit of the Month

Scythian bronze cauldron from Răscăieții Noi

"Greco-Roman Imports in the Northwestern Black Sea Coast"

30 May - 30 december 2012

#Exhibit of the Month