#Exhibit of the Month

The bronze hoard was discovered on the territory of Mîndrești village, Telenești district, in 1968. It was identified accidentally by a group of students from the village school, and the materials later came to the attention of specialists at the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences. According to documentary records, the hoard was composed of ten pieces: four socketed axes (celts), a dagger fragment, a sword fragment, a sickle, a winged axe, an adze-axe, and a chain consisting of four links.
Currently, of the mentioned assemblage, six objects are preserved in the collections of the National Museum of History of Moldova: two socketed axes (celts), the winged axe, the adze-axe, the dagger fragment, and the chain made of four links.- Socketed axe (celt) with one loop. Dimensions: Length - 10.2 cm; Weight - 186 g.
- Socketed axe (celt) with one frontal loop. Dimensions: Length - 8.4 cm; Width: 33-46 mm; Weight - 124 g.
- Winged axe. Dimensions: Length - 14.0 cm; Width - 2.5-3.4 cm; Weight - 285 g.
- Adze-axe. Dimensions: Length - 14.8 cm; Width - 2.3-5.0 cm; Weight - 286 g.
- Dagger fragment. Dimensions: Length - 16.5 cm; Blade length - 9.8 cm; Blade width - 2.8 cm; Weight - 81 g.
- Chain formed of four links. Dimensions: Length - 17.1 cm; Link diameter - 3.8; Weight - 32 g.The bronze hoard of Mîndrești is important due to the association of objects that find analogies in the regional repertoire with pieces that show clear analogies in Central Europe and the Carpathian Basin. The assemblage reflects a zone of contact and interaction where metallic forms of different origins and traditions circulated and were integrated into the repertoire of local communities.
Chronologically, the bronze hoard of Mîndrești is attributed to the Early Hallstatt period - HaA1, being dated to 1200-1100 BC.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

The compartment of Medieval History (13th – 18th centuries)

(Permanent Exhibition “History and Civilization”)

The next compartment of the exhibition comprehends 13th - 14th centuries, period of formation and evolution of the medieval Moldavian state. Adornments, ceramic utensils, coins originated from Costesti and Orheiul Vechi confirm urban-type settlements and their prosperity. Another group of exhibits depict the so called "transition period" and "Moldavian period" of Orhei Vechi.

Brisk trade of the Moldavian state is reflected in the numerous coinage hoards. Visitors are offered to view the 14th century hoard consisting of silver bars discovered in Orhei Vechi, and also 16th - 17th centuries' coinage hoards discovered in Chisinau and Criuleni.

The medieval period of the Moldavian state is characterized by permanent fight for national existence. Feat of arms of Stefan cel Mare, the prince of Moldavia, spread his glory in the whole of Europe. A collection of arms and military equipment such as chain armors, helmet, arbalest, halberd, sword, cannons, and cannon-balls are presented in the exhibition to remind us of those glorious battles.

The last section is dedicated to the spiritual development of the Moldavian state. Religious books, icons, crosses, articles discovered during excavations at the Capriana monastery, lay books and also various articles of those times are presented for the attention of visitors.

#Exhibit of the Month

The Bronze Hoard of Mîndrești

The compartment of Medieval History (13th – 18th centuries)

(Permanent Exhibition “History and Civilization”)

#Exhibit of the Month