#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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Events Archive

Book launch: "Romanian lands seen by artists from the West (15th-19th centuries)", edited by Robert Denndorf, album coordinator: Silvia Corlăteanu-Granciuc

January 26, 2023

On 26th of January, The National Musuem of History of Moldova, in collaboration with the Institute of History of the MSU, organized the launch of the work "Romanian lands seen by artists from the West (15th-19th centuries). Album", edited by Robert Denndorf (Germany). The album was coordinated by university professor Dr. Silvia Corlăteanu-Granciuc, the scientific secretary of the Institute of History of the MSU.

Historical scholars, museographers, representatives of the academic and university environment, public institutions, the Presidency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, the Ministry of Culture, the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, civil society were present at the launch event.

Dr. hab. Gheorghe Cojocaru, the director of the Institute of History, one of the forewords of the volume and the moderator of the event emphasized the contribution of Robert Denndorf, through this indisputable historiographical and aesthetic achievement, to the enrichment of the imagistic thesaurus related to the Romanian space for universal culture. "The work we are launching honors us, and it honors us, offering us the opportunity to be with him at a great fulfillment and to bring him all our gratitude and gratitude", revealed Gheorghe Cojocaru.

The General Director of NHMH, dr. hab. Eugen Sava, the host of the event, addressed a message on behalf of the collective of the institution he honorably leads, emphasizing that the release of the German writer's album is an important focus in collaboration not only in the field of national heritage, but also international. Robert Denndorf brought to light some things that were hidden in archives, in libraries, in other museums, and the release of this Album at NMHM can only honor us. Eugen Sava recalled the fact that Robert Denndorf is the oldest friend of the museum, having collaborated both through book launches and through the organization of two exhibitions, one of the last collaborations having as its purpose the donation of seven engravings, which are already included in the funds the museum. For his merits and openness towards the national heritage of the Republic of Moldova, as a sign of gratitude for his significant contribution to the development of the heritage collections of NMHM, Mr. Robert Denndorf was awarded the "Diploma of Honor".

The Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Oleg Serebrian, ambassador, scientist and writer, mentioned that he is present at the event more as a historian and former ambassador of the Republic of Moldova in Germany. "Mr. Denndorf has a beautiful attribution to our culture and our history, to what the Romanian space means from the Dniester to the Tisa, during the century. XV-XIX, as seen by artists, engravers from the countries of Western Europe.

The Ministry of Culture was represented by Svetlana Pociumban, head of the Cultural Heritage Directorate who emphasized the importance of works of this kind for the entire Romanian society but also for universal culture. Knowing that Robert Denndorf intends to donate to NMHM several engravings and stamps that represent moments in the history of the space between the Prut and Dniester, he promised that the Ministry of Culture, in partnership with the competent institutions, will make every effort to contribute to the adjustment of the customs legislation that will allows the unhindered bringing of works of art that wish to become part of the national heritage.

Dr. Silviu Tabac, state herald of the Republic of Moldova, member of the Office of the President of the Republic of Moldova, sent a congratulatory message from the presidential institution, in which President Maia Sandu addressed the author Robert Denndorf with wishes for new achievements in what he does.

Among the speakers, with a Diploma of Gratitude from the National Library of the Republic of Moldova, awarded to Mr. Robert Denndorf, for the free donation of 300 copies of the book about the discovery here, in Tighina, of the Swedish King Charles XII, books that will reach libraries in the Republic of Moldova, was the directorate of the National Library - Elena Pintilei.

On behalf of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, prof. dr. hab Victor Moraru, corresponding member of ASM and vice-president of the scientific forum expressed a word of gratitude addressed to the author Robert Denndorf and the coordinator of the volume Silvia Corlăteanu-Granciuc, underlining the importance for the scientific but also cultural rapprochement between the Republic of Moldova and the entire European space. Academician announced the importance of the volume for research on the history of culture. Andrei Eșanu, reputed specialist in the history of medieval and modern culture.

Dr. hab. Victor Ghilaș, the director of the Institute of Cultural Heritage (ICH) emphasized the need for historical sources, present in the works of Robert Denndorf, for the research carried out within the ICH in the field of art history arts, of music history in particular and in the field of cultural history in general.

The coordinator of the album, associate professor Dr. Silvia Corlăteanu-Granciuc, the scientific secretary of the Institute of History of the MSU, wanted to point out two moments in his intervention, the first: how this album was created and the second: its importance for researchers and for the whole society, emphasizing that capitalizing on the history of the territory between the Prut and the Dniester and across the Dniester substantially leads to the cultural and spiritual rapprochement of the Romanian shores and "all shores" of Europe. Mrs. Corlăteanu-Granciuc emphasized the fact that Robert Denndorf financially covered the appearance of this beautiful and substantial album, an important aspect in the times we live in, and the messages coming from the country's leadership, officials, state institutions but also from society, come as a high appreciation and gratitude addressed to Mr. Denndorf for the effort made, for the enormous love for history and culture and for everything that brings the Republic of Moldova closer to Europe. For his part, the main protagonist of the event, Robert Denndorf, wanted to thank everyone who contributed to the appearance of the album and announced his new future projects aimed at the Romanian space on the right side of the Prut.

The album "Romanian lands seen by artists from the West (15th-19th century)", by Robert Denndorf, represents a history in illustrations of the Romanians in their process of formation and affirmation. The volume includes 1149 images: lithographs, engravings, maps, stamps, images of fortresses, battles, various illustrations of an ethnographic character, everyday life, etc., mostly created by artists from Central and Western Europe and dating from the XV-XIX centuries. The work serves as a source for research in the field of history, in the future, in particular, for those that focus on the representation of¶ the other in the European space.