#Exhibit of the Month

The grapevine plant, now widespread across the globe, traces its origins back to the Upper Cretaceous geological period, when species of Vitis Linn appeared on Earth (Mesozoic era), followed later by Vitis vinifera L., the latter already classified among cultivated agricultural plants. Most researchers link the origin of the cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) to the wild forest species Vitis sylvestris Gmel. Thickets of Vitis sylvestris Gmel. can still sporadically be found in the groves along the Prut and Dniester floodplains.

During the Precucuteni III - Trypillia A period (ca. 4750-4600 BC), the presence of cultivated grape seeds was clearly documented on pottery from the settlement of Ruseştii Noi I, layer I, kiln A, consisting of a seed impression on a ceramic fragment, with the elongated beak characteristic of the domesticated species Vitis vinifera L. Another seed impression of Vitis vinifera L. was recorded at the settlement of Vărvăreuca VIII, identified on the wall of a painted vessel from the Cucuteni B - Trypillia CI stage (3800-3500/3300 BC).
In October, on the occasion of the National Wine Day, the National Museum of History of Moldova presents to your attention a unique relic in Southeastern Europe. The exhibit originates from the settlement Brînzeni VIII "Sâiece," belonging to the Cucuteni-Trypillia culture and dated to the Cucuteni AB2 - Trypillia B2 phase (ca. 4050-3800 BC), located in Brînzeni village, Edineț district. The site lies 2 km southwest of the locality, in a triangle formed by the confluence of the Racovăț and Drobiște streams and the local road L36 Bădragii Vechi-Brînzeni. Positioned on land 25-30 meters above the valley, it was discovered in 1966 by archaeologist Nicolaie Chetraru and investigated through excavations between 1978-1980 by Vsevolod Marchevici.
The October exhibit is a grapevine leaf impression discovered in 1980. It comes from pit no. 5, partially investigated, with a maximum depth of 155 cm. From the same archaeological complex near dwelling no. 1, several grape seeds were also recovered, as noted in the excavation report. The grapevine leaf impression appears on a coarse clay lump, fired and vitrified due to secondary burning, reddish in color, with an irregular rectangular, flattened shape. The outer surface is uneven and rough. The impression surface is smoothed, with the leaf veins clearly highlighted. Measuring 99 mm in length, 110 mm in width, and 28-31 mm in thickness, the exhibit presents in full splendor an authentic grapevine leaf impression. Some researchers attribute it to the domesticated grapevine Vitis vinifera L., while others, more skeptical, consider it a wild species. Nevertheless, being discovered in a well-documented archaeological context, together with grape seeds near a dwelling, it provides evidence that grapevine was part of Cucuteni community life 6,000 years ago. These findings allow us to affirm that the process of domestication and the creation of table grapes was already underway. The diversity of Cucuteni ceramic forms, as well as the painting on some vessels, undoubtedly suggests their use as containers for various liquids. Accordingly, the emergence of wine among Cucuteni communities can be taken into consideration.

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Abstract of the Institutional project "The role of museum heritage in the development of contemporary society (2015-2018)"

In the period 2015-2018, the researchers (29) of the National Museum of History of Moldova have implemented the institutional project The Role of museum heritage in the development of contemporary society within the Strategic Direction “National heritage and the development of society”.

Within the framework of the project, the research and systematization of some historical, documentary, archeological, numismatic and postal card collections has led to the identification of new heritage values and their scientific and public valorization at national and international level for the benefit of contemporary society. It also contributed to the conceptualization of the educational role of the museum in the community and to a further digitalization of cultural goods and promotion of museum heritage.

The research of cultural heritage assets: archaeological collections, photographic collections, icons collection, collection of old books from different historical periods has provided new data and information which created opportunities for their use to improve the exhibition narrative and facilitate the access of the public to information and cultural heritage owned by the museum.

In the museum and archive collections were discovered new photo and documentary testimonies about the life of the Lazo noble family from the modern age Bessarabia, were recovered cultural, material, three-dimensional assets that allowed a final reconstruction of the Lazo family mansion as a museum and tourist objective, as a true testimony of cultural identity. The new scientific data found in the archival files allowed us to present the appropriate material and moral environment of the Lazo family mansion from Piatra with all passed generations and the time they lived in, intertwined with major personalities of the manor who have made history and have contributed to the development of the Bessarabian society over the centuries.

The role of the museum's relationship with the public and of museum education have been identified, from the nineteenth century to the present. A serious contribution was made to the real dimension of the Moldovan museum's relationship with the visitor, the role and the usefulness of the museum institution in the contemporary society. Based on social and psychological research of the public, was identified the role of the museum in the consciousness of the visitors. The right and the privilege to enter the contemporary museum were determined, also the prospects for the evolution of the museum's relationship with the public.

The criteria for keeping track of the museum public were identified, analyzed and structured for the whole period of existence of the museum as a public institution and were established the categories of public for the contemporary museum institution.

In the framework of the project was collected information on over 1,000 coins discovered in Costeşti, Ialoveni district, from public and private collections. Preliminary conclusions were made with reference to the structure of coins discovered on the site. Therefore the discoveries of coins from Costeşti consists of monetary issues of the Byzantine Empire, the Golden Horde, Serbia, Bulgaria, Czechia (14th century), Moldova (15th century), Sweden (17th century), the Kingdom of Poland (16th-17th centuries), the Ottoman Empire (15th-18th centuries), the Russian Empire (18th century). For the Golden Horde coins were discovered coins, previously not identified, such as Seljuk coins, issues by some beyliks from Anatolia, Eretna, Gandar, etc. Monetary discoveries from the 15th to the 18th centuries show that after the exit of this area from the authority of the Golden Horde the settlement continued its existence.

In the archives of Poland (Warsaw and Poznan) and Russia (Saint Petersburg and Moscow) new original documents and reproductions of the 18th century documents were found about the Cantemir dynasty and the Movileşti family from the 17th-18th, considered up until recently irretrievably lost. Documentary research in the archive and museum provided the opportunity to publish for the first time 26 unknown documents related to the law, will, finances, estate and family heritage and 38 personal letters of Maria Cantemir to Antioh Cantemir.

The archaeological excavations carried out at the Taraclia-Gaidabul site resulted in important discoveries referring to the elements of building, life style and material culture of the Sabatinovka culture communities.

During the archaeological research in Varniţa, were discovered the remains of the foundation of a stone building which is considered, based on the comparative analysis of archaeological resources, of the written documentary sources, of the descriptions, plans and drawings of the period, to be the Chancellery of King Charles XII of Sweden which operated in Varniţa between 1711 and 1713.

The results of the research within the institutional project have been valorized through various scientific and public forms in the country and abroad.

Publications: total 390, among which 12 monographs. Every year, were published two issues of the museum’s scientific journal Tyragetia.

The collaboration of the museum with various institutions in the republic and abroad resulted in the organization of scientific events, in the common public valorization of the historical and cultural heritage, in active participation in various research initiatives, including archaeological excavations. In the years 2015-2018 were organized 14 national scientific conferences and 8 international scientific conferences. The annual scientific conference of the museum History Archeology Museology reached its 29^th edition, and the International Numismatic Symposium reached its 17^th edition. The museum's researchers participated at 140 scientific conferences in the period 2015-2018, at 10 events with international participation, and at 141 international events held in the republic and abroad.

Museum researchers contributed to heritage development by collecting 5881 new cultural goods through research and acquisition. The researchers from the museum participated in the digitization of museum collections in the years 2015-2018 - 9368 analytical files.

Owing to international support, the museum's researchers have had internships in Romania, Germany, Poland, France and Russia.

The museum continued to be a scientific methodological base for students and master students of Moldova State University and the State Pedagogical University "Ion Creanga" who carry their museum, archaeological, ethnographic, heritage internships.

The results of the scientific research have been presented to the public in several temporary thematic exhibitions in the republic and abroad. The researchers have drafted the concept and thematic structure of each exhibition - 20 in total.

Museum researchers have provided specialist assistance to several public and private institutions.

The results of the research have been disseminated to the general public through various promotional materials, dozens of radio and TV programs.