#Exhibit of the Month

The exhibited necklace of beads originates from Funerary Complex No. 6 of Kurgan No. 4, excavated in 1982 by Dr. Habil. Eugen SAVA near the town of Taraclia. The beads were found in the chest area of the deceased, indicating that they had been worn as a necklace and had remained in their original position within the funerary assemblage.
The necklace consists of 11 elements made entirely of Egyptian faience. Eight of the beads are spherical and decorated with vertical incisions forming between 14 and 21 raised ribs. Their diameters range from 13 to 20 mm. Two additional elements are scarab representations measuring 23.5 × 19.5 mm, while the final component is a flattened cylindrical pendant bead featuring a central vertical groove and measuring 22 × 9 mm. The objects range in color from light blue to dark blue and violet hues, reflecting the natural deterioration and glaze variations characteristic of Egyptian faience.
Egyptian faience is an artificial quartz-based material coated with an alkaline glaze, typically blue or blue-green in color. It was widely used in Ancient Egypt and later spread throughout the Mediterranean and Pontic regions through trade networks. During the first centuries AD, such objects served as important indicators of cultural and economic contacts between the Mediterranean world and the communities of the North Pontic region.
Owing to its typological, technological, and symbolic characteristics, the Taraclia necklace is an exceptionally valuable artifact for the study of intercultural relations, the circulation of prestige goods, and the funerary practices of the Sarmatian communities during the first centuries AD (1st-2nd centuries AD).

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Events Archive

Book launch: "Prisoners of War: Chronicle of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905" by Simion Carp

July 18, 2023

On July 18, in the Blue Hall of the National Museum of History of Moldova, took place the book launch of Mr. Simion Carp, PhD of law and university professor, entitled "Prisoners of war: the chronicle of the Russian-Japanese from 1904-1905".

During the event, that atended notorious researchers and guests, after a brief presentation of the work by the author, the Ambassador of Japan in the Republic of Moldova, H.E. Yamada Yoichiro, who appreciated the work and impressed the audience with his message during which he reviewed the events of the beginning of the 20th century, bringing words of thanks to the author for presenting a large number of materials, from which it appears that the Japanese remained a model in history, by correct behavior with the soldiers of the Russian army, among whom were Bessarabians in Japanese captivity. Knowing this historical truth will contribute to strengthening the friendly relations between the Republic of Moldova and Japan.

According to the author, the work focuses on the experience of the Bessarabian military, who were captured during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 and held prisoner in Japan. A detailed analysis is provided of the military units in which these soldiers were enlisted, the battles in which they participated, and the places where those who fell in battle were buried. Their acts of heroism and battlefield realities are also highlighted. An important part of the work describes the conditions of detention of prisoners of war in camps in Japan and the efforts of the international community to ensure compliance with the Hague Convention of 1899. It is argued that the Japanese government treated captured Russian servicemen relatively well.

Mr. Simion Carp also presents the story of two Bessarabians, Anatolie and Iacob Tihai, who promoted Christianity in Japan in the 19th century. They were gifted with Christian education and helped Russian military prisoners considerably through their work in the Tokyo Christian Mission.

Finally, the paper discusses the repatriation of Bessarabian soldiers and their involvement in the struggle for the national cause after returning home. The biographies of these veterans who contributed to the creation of the first local military units and the Union of Bessarabia with Romania in 1918 are brought to attention. It is also emphasized that some of them became victims of the repressions under the communist regime.

The event eas organized by the "Ștefan cel Mare" Academy of the MIA of the Republic of Moldova in partnership with the National Museum of History of Moldova.