#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.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

“The Unbroken – Light Through Darkness”

22 – 26 August 2025,
Parliament of the Republic of Moldova
26 August – 26 September 2025,
National Museum of History of Moldova

The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Moldova, the Ministry of Culture, and the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, is honored to invite the public to the inauguration of the photographic exhibition "The Unbroken - Light Through Darkness," signed by Ukrainian photographer Serhii Himyush.

The exhibition is organized on the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day, marked annually on 24 August, and will be open to the public at the Parliament until 26 August 2025. It will then be displayed on the exterior railings of the National Museum of History of Moldova until 26 September 2025. The vernissage will take place on Friday, 22 August 2025, at 10:00, in the main entrance hall of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.

Originally from Chișinău, Serhii Himyush, aged 33, was severely injured in 2022 during a humanitarian mission in Ukraine. Despite his suffering, he transformed his personal experience into a powerful visual testimony of human resilience. His photographs capture not only the traces of war but also the faces of those who, amid tragedy, preserve their dignity, hope, and courage.

This collection of images documents not only the destruction caused by war but also the inner strength of people who choose to remain united, dignified, and full of hope. Serhii Himyush was gravely wounded during a humanitarian mission in the Kharkiv region, losing both legs. Nevertheless, his camera became once again an extension of his will-a means to bear witness, to heal, and to inspire.

Each photograph tells a story: evacuations, destroyed homes, gazes that speak of loss, but also of light. The exhibition offers a deeply human perspective on war, seen from within by someone who lived alongside those he photographed.

"The Unbroken - Light Through Darkness" is a tribute to Ukrainian resilience and a call for international solidarity. Moldova, the place of Serhii's childhood, thus becomes the host of a visual testimony that transcends borders and speaks of the courage to move forward.