#Exhibit of the Month

This clay vessel was discovered in 1982 by archaeologist V. Sorochin during excavations of a burial mound (no. 1) located in the village of Speia, Dubăsari District. It originates from grave no. 5 and is dated to the 4th millennium BC, belonging to the Usatovo culture.
The vessel was found in a child's grave. The burial pit had an oval shape, and the deceased was laid in a crouched position (similar to the fetal posture), on the left side. A total of five vessels were uncovered in this grave: three near the back, one at the feet, and one in the pelvic area.
The cultural attribution of this funerary complex was determined based on the burial rite and grave goods. This culture is characterized by the specific construction of the burial pit, as well as the positioning and orientation of the deceased toward the east and northeast.

The vessel is shaped from clay mixed with finely crushed shell. Its walls curve gradually toward the top, with the widest diameter at the shoulder area. It has a short neck, a slightly flared rim, and a flat base. The surface is carefully polished, in some areas to a lustrous finish. The interior is reddish-brown, while the exterior is yellowish-brown with gray spots. The rim features groups of perforations, three of which are preserved in their original state. The diameter of the holes is 0.35 cm. The space between the groups of perforations is decorated with cord impressions. The transition from the neck to the shoulder is adorned with three horizontal lines made with cord, from which, in five places, three vertical lines descend, each 5 cm long, executed using the same technique. At the time of discovery, these lines were filled with a white paste. The space between the groups of lines is decorated at the top with short vertical lines (0.5 cm long), and in the center with a meander ornament made of two parallel lines impressed with cord. The base of the vessel retains the imprint of a textile.
Vessel dimensions: Height: 22 cm; Rim diameter: 15.7 cm; Maximum diameter: 22 cm; Base diameter: 10 cm.

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Exhibitions

“Observing the Coasts from Space. A Scientific Perspective through the Eyes of Sentinel-2 Satellites”

September 5 – October 1, 2025

The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Embassy of Spain to Romania and the Republic of Moldova, based in Bucharest, invites the public to explore a unique outdoor exhibition dedicated to the scientific observation of coastal zones through the lens of Sentinel-2 satellites.

786 kilometers - this is the precise altitude at which the twin satellites Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B orbit the Earth. This satellite constellation is part of the European Earth observation program Copernicus, coordinated by the European Space Agency and the European Commission.

These satellites capture electromagnetic radiation reflected from the surface of the seas, a phenomenon known as ocean color. Flying at an altitude of 786 km, these optical instruments provide essential data on coasts, lagoons, estuaries, marshes, beaches, mangroves, and coral reefs - all viewed from a unique vantage point ideal for studying oceanographic and biological processes.

With a spatial resolution of 10 meters, Sentinel-2 enables detailed mapping of these complex ecosystems, revolutionizing how we understand the planet's most sensitive and vulnerable regions. Thanks to these satellites, we can assess the impact of extreme events - typhoons, hurricanes, tropical storms - on coastal areas and quantify the consequences of natural disasters and climate change.

The images featured in this exhibition are the result of three years of research within the Sen2Coast project, funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, the National Research Agency, and FEDER funds. The project aligns with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which promotes ocean preservation through science and research.

Through the eyes of satellites, the coasts become a magnificent open-air museum, accessible to all. They invite contemplation and awareness of the importance of protecting and conserving these natural treasures. Science and art merge on the surface of the deep blue, offering scenes as spectacular as those presented here.

The exhibition "Observing the Coasts from Space. A Scientific Perspective through the Eyes of Sentinel-2 Satellites" can be visited from September 5 to October 1, 2025, on the fence of the National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 Street, No. 121 A, Hall 2, Chișinău.