#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.

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Events Archive

Commemorating 25 years from the beginning of military actions aimed to protect the integrity and independence of the Republic of Moldova

February 28, 2017

The National Museum of History of Moldova in cooperation with the Association of Humanitarian Law held on February 28, a conference commemorating the 25th anniversary from the beginning of military actions for the defence of the integrity and independence of Republic of Moldova (March 2nd, 1992).

Dr. hab. Eugen Sava, general director of the National Museum of History of Moldova, was present at the event with a welcoming speech in which tribute was paid to the persons killed on the battlefield in 1992.

Many personalities directly involved in the armed conflict gave speeches at the event: Major General Anton Gămurari, Brigadier General Vasile Grosu, retired Colonel Andrei Covrig, and retired Colonel Chiril Panteleev. They spoke about lesser known moments related to the causes and beginning of the war.

Valeriu Muravschi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova during 1991-1992, related about political realities of that time and their influence on political decision making. The situation of the population from the conflict zone, including the multiple violations of human rights, was described by the then mayor of the village of Pârâta, Dubăsari District. Assoc. prof. Vitalie Gămurari made a comprehensive analysis of the status of Moldova within the Negotiations Commission. Nicolae Pojoga, accredited journalist in the military zone, commented on a collage of photos made by him during military operations.

In the debates took part Vasile Şoimaru, deputy in the first Moldovan Parliament; Ion Iovcev, director of the Lyceum "Lucian Blaga" in Tiraspol, etc.

At the press briefing held during the conference, the organizers have stressed that the conflict in the eastern districts of Moldova is part of conflicts that erupted in the outskirts of the USSR and was a consequence of a number of internal and external factors. This conflict took the form of a war between the Russian Federation and Moldova. In particular was paid attention to the need to preserve the memory of those who died during military operations and after because of many suffered wounds. The organizers expressed their regret about the lack of a state policy of resolving the political crisis in the eastern districts of Moldova.