#Exhibit of the Month

Bronze cauldrons of the Scythian time are rare in the Northern Black Sea region, especially on its western borders. Therefore, those few items found on the territory of the Republic of Moldova occupy a worthy place in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova (NMHM). In particular, in the archaeological exhibition, two bronze cauldrons are displayed, discovered near the village of Nicolscoe in 1988 in burial mounds no. 14 and 15. In addition, in 2020, two bronze cauldrons without any accompanying documents were found in the collection of NMHM; however, they were visually identified as coming from various excavations in the Low Dniester region, such as burial mound no. 45 near Dubăsari and burial mound no. 1 near the Răscăieții Noi village.

The object presented as the exhibit of the month is a little-known find discovered in 1979 in barrow 1 near the village of Răscăieții Noi in the Ștefan Vodă district. In addition to its outstanding size (about 10 m high), this mound is known for discovering a cast bronze finial in the Scythian animal style on its surface in 1953. However, by the beginning of excavations, the locals had damaged part of the mound and a Scythian cast bronze cauldron was found near it. The cauldron was seriously damaged by mechanical impact, as a result of which the rim was deformed, and the walls, with one preserved vertical handle, were bent inwards. Fragments in the upper part of the body and one handle have been lost. The total reconstructed height of the cauldron is 24 cm (excluding the handles), the reconstructed diameter of the hemispherical cauldron is 30 cm, and the weight is 6.5 kg. In 2020, data on the chemical composition of the bronze cauldron alloy were obtained, revealing that it was cast from an alloy of almost 95 per cent copper. Unfortunately, due to the loss of information on the context of the discovery of the cauldron at Răscăieții Noi, it is impossible to link its discovery with one or another Scythian burial of the barrow. Moreover, the grave goods of other Scythian burials of Barrow 1 do not allow them to date below the 4th century BC. However, the cauldron with vertical handles from Răscăieții Noi most likely belongs earlier. This may be indicated by a bronze finial from the first half of the 5th century BC, which was found on this barrow in 1953. In addition, burial 7 from the nearest excavated barrow 2 at Răscăieții Noi, containing a plaque depicting a rolled predator (a copy of which is also on display at the NMHM), belongs to the mid- 5th century BC. Thus, there is a high probability that the cauldron from Barrow 1 at Răscăieții Noi is associated with the late Middle Scythian period or the mid-5th century BC.

Scythian bronze cauldrons in the west area are concentrated in three main regions: Bukovina-Podolia, the Lower Danube, and the Lower Dniester. Some Scythian cauldrons have no reliable archaeological context. Nevertheless, in combination with the same "stray" finds like the Scythian statues, the finds of Scythian cauldrons mark the Scythian presence, most likely not earlier than the late 6th century or even the turn of the 6th-5th centuries BC. The cauldrons first appeared in Bukovina, where they have been known since the middle of the 7th century BC. Bronze cauldrons (with their carriers) entered the steppe region 150-200 years later, and the "military" burials that appeared in the western steppe regions were no earlier than the middle of the 5th century BC. Most burials with cauldrons (and, apparently, the stray finds) are dated back to the second half of the 5th century BC. Then, in the early 4th century BC, their quantity was reduced, and after the first quarter of the 4th century BC, they completely disappeared from the cultural practice of the population of the steppes of the North-Western Black Sea region.

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Inauguration of the exhibition "Chisinau: an unknown history"

January 12, 2023

On January 12, 2023, at the National Museum of History of Moldova, was inaugurated the exhibition dedicated to the National Day of Culture, entitled "Chisinau: an unknown history".

The exhibition was carried out by the Archeology Sector of NMHM and brings together an important number of documentary materials illustrating the historical past of Chisinau. The absolute majority of these materials are part of the NMHM collections and constitute a true historical-cultural treasure that allows the objective reconstruction of the city's past. Brought to light as a result of archaeological research in the last decades, they highlight unknown aspects of the history, culture, demography, social, economic and political relations of Chisinau from all times, starting with prehistoric times, passing through the ancient and medieval periods and reaching the premodern period.

At the beginning of the event the General Director of NMHM, dr.hab. Eugen Sava, highlighted the role of this exhibition in promoting the knowledge and study of the history of the city of Chisinau. Mr. Eugen Sava drew attention to the importance of safeguarding the archaeological sites and preserving the discovered vestiges, given that they can provide us with unique information regarding the history of the city and the people who have lived here over the centuries.

In her speech, Mrs. Angela Cutasevici, the Deputy Mayor of the cultural branch of the Chisinau City Hall, thanked NMHM for the contribution brought to the discovery, restoration and presentation to the general public of the pieces from the exhibition. Mrs. Angela Cutasevici also noted the importance of archeology in order to research the history of the city of Chisinau and that Chisinau City Hall is open and supports the actions taken on this subject.

Dr. Mark Tcaciuc drew attention to the fact that the pieces in the exhibition not only present pages from the history of the city, but also describe how our predecessors lived, what lifestyle they led or how they spent their free time. Mr. Mark Tcaciuc opined the idea that Chisinau does not owe its development exclusively to the Tsarist Empire, but that the city had a history and urban development in the periods leading up to the events of the 19th century, a fact that the archaeological pieces discovered tell us about. Although Chisinau has gone through various periods throughout history, it has always survived and preserved its identity.

Mr. Dr. Ion Tentiuc, in his speech, told about the history of archaeological discoveries in the city of Chisinau and highlighted the fact that our city contains numerous sites that must be researched and exploited. Mr. Ion Tentiuc told about the research carried out at Valea Morilor, the Mazarache Church, the Armenian Church, the Old Square and other important places in the city, which brought to light precious data about our city.

The curator of the exhibition, Mrs. Dr. Natalia Mateevici, presented to the general public the sections of the exhibition, which, in addition to archaeological remains, also contain documentary materials on the history of the city of Chisinau. Mrs. Natalia Mateevici thanked everyone involved in making this beautiful exhibition and noted that this exhibition is not only about Chisinau but also about its people, whether they are natives of the city or recently arrived here, but for whom Chisinau has become the city of their hearts.

"Chisinau: an unknown history" can be visited between January 12 and June 1, 2023 in Room no. 1 (Ground floor) of the National Museum of History of Moldova, Chisinau, str. 31 August 1989, 121A.

#Exhibit of the Month

Scythian bronze cauldron from Răscăieții Noi

Inauguration of the exhibition "Chisinau: an unknown history"

January 12, 2023

#Exhibit of the Month