#Exhibit of the Month

The Roman bronze situla comes from a collection of archaeological artifacts confiscated at customs and transferred to the holdings of the National Museum of History of Moldova in 2009. Its place of discovery remains unknown.

A situla (Latin for "bucket") is a metal vessel-usually made of bronze-shaped like a pail and equipped with two movable handles at the top, traditionally used for mixing wine with water. The handles are attached to the vessel via two decorated ears that are welded to the rim.

The body of the situla is truncated-conical in shape and features two decorative bands with small circular patterns formed by hammering, located just below the rim.

Its base is double-layered: the inner bottom is hemispherical and hammered, while the outer bottom is flat and lathe-made. The outer base is welded to the inner bottom, serving as the vessel's foot-support.

This object was crafted using a combination of casting, hammering, and partial lathe-finishing. Dimensions: Maximum height - 31.7 cm; Maximum diameter - 22.8 cm; Base diameter - 13.5 cm

Situlae of this type originated in the Roman Empire and were later adopted by various ancient peoples, including those from the northwestern Pontic region.

Virtual Tour

Events Archive

Book launch: "Orheiul Vechi. Localities and monastic settlements (15th-19th centuries)", author: dr. arch. Sergius Ciocanu

November 15, 2022

On November 15, 2022, in the Conference Hall took place the launch of the monography "Orheiul Vechi. Localities and monastic settlements (15th-19th centuries)" by Dr. arch. Sergius Ciocanu, appeared at the Cartdidact Publishing House.

The work "Orheiul Vechi. Localities and monastic settlements (15th-19th centuries)" proposes, in five chapters, a novel approach to the entire spectrum of problems accumulated over time in the area known today under the generic name of Orheiul Vechi.

The author made a synthesis focused on the history and spatial architecture of the towns of Brănești, Trebujeni, Mihăilașa and Mașcăuți, respectively, of the estates and monastic settlements in the area. The multidisciplinary approach to problems, the simultaneous analysis of documentary sources, current and historical topography, plans and maps, graphic and photographic materials allowed the author to formulate and substantiate a series of important conclusions for the knowledge and understanding of the historical development of secular human communities and religious from here.

Alongside the author, during the event, with speeches participated the General Director of NMHM Dr. hab. Eugen Sava, Dr. hab. Mariana Șlapac, corresponding member of ASM, and Dr. hab. univ. prof. Gheorghe Postică.