#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.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

„The Caravan of Gulag Memories”

Itinerant Exhibition at the National Museum of History of Moldova

July 19, 2024

The National Museum of History of Moldova, in collaboration with the Arbor Association for Culture and Arts, organizes the itinerant exhibition "The Caravan of Gulag Memories." This exhibition will present to the general public the testimonies of deportees and victims of the totalitarian-communist regime from the left bank of the Prut during the Soviet period. The aim of the exhibition is to familiarize visitors with the sufferings endured by the population affected by deportations and the repressions of the totalitarian regime. The exhibition includes photographs, artworks, audio, and video testimonies, all designed to provide a detailed and profound image of these tragic events.

The "Caravan of Gulag Memories" exhibition originates from the project "Remembering Childhood: Testimonies of Bessarabian Deportees," opened in 2022 at Arbor.art.room in Bucharest. It is based on extensive documentary research conducted between 1991 and 2021 by the National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Center of Excellence Pro Memoria Institute, the Institute of History of USM, Alecu Russo State University of Bălți, and B.P. Hasdeu State University of Cahul. The exhibition is curated from an interdisciplinary perspective, presenting a complex installation that illustrates the deportees' journey to exile and the dramas experienced on foreign soil.

The itinerant exhibition "The Caravan of Gulag Memories" will travel between July 9 and 19, 2024, stopping in several locations in Romania and the Republic of Moldova:

July 9 - Bucharest (Faculty of Letters, Edgar Quinet Street No. 5-7, Sector 1)
July 10 - Focșani (Union Square)
July 11 - Iași (CIAC Baia Turcească, Architect G.M. Cantacuzino Street)
July 12 - Nisporeni (National House, Alexandru cel Bun Street No. 5)
July 13 - Plop, Dondușeni (Archangel Michael Street No. 4)
July 14 - Drochia (City Hall, Independence Boulevard No. 15A)
July 15 - Hîncești (Palace of Culture, Mihalcea Hîncu Street No. 140)
July 16 - Căușeni (Alexie Mateevici Street No. 9)
July 17 - Cahul (Independence Square)
July 18 - Avdarma, UTA Gagauzia (Avdarma Village History Museum)
July 19 - Chișinău (National Museum of History of Moldova, 31 August 1989 Street No. 121A)

A special moment of this journey will be the final stop in Chișinău, in the courtyard of the National Museum of History of Moldova, on July 19. The exhibition will be open from 17:00 to 21:00, offering residents and visitors of the capital the opportunity to connect directly with the painful history of deportations and the sufferings endured by Bessarabians during the Soviet period.

The exhibition includes a variety of materials and works designed to provide a comprehensive perspective on the sufferings and dramas experienced by deportees. Actors Cristina Casian, Florentina Țilea, Florina Gleznea, Ionuț Vișan, Marius Turdeanu, and Richard Bovnoczki will read audio testimonies, adding authenticity and emotion to the exhibition. Notable exhibits include the map of the Bessarabian Gulag created by Ramona Iacob in 2022, the animation "The Nameless Kitten" created by Ghenadie Popescu also in 2022, and the artworks "The Pascal Family" and "Mother's Shawl" created by Vasile Rață in 2024.