#Exhibit of the Month

This clay vessel was discovered in 1982 by archaeologist V. Sorochin during excavations of a burial mound (no. 1) located in the village of Speia, Dubăsari District. It originates from grave no. 5 and is dated to the 4th millennium BC, belonging to the Usatovo culture.
The vessel was found in a child's grave. The burial pit had an oval shape, and the deceased was laid in a crouched position (similar to the fetal posture), on the left side. A total of five vessels were uncovered in this grave: three near the back, one at the feet, and one in the pelvic area.
The cultural attribution of this funerary complex was determined based on the burial rite and grave goods. This culture is characterized by the specific construction of the burial pit, as well as the positioning and orientation of the deceased toward the east and northeast.

The vessel is shaped from clay mixed with finely crushed shell. Its walls curve gradually toward the top, with the widest diameter at the shoulder area. It has a short neck, a slightly flared rim, and a flat base. The surface is carefully polished, in some areas to a lustrous finish. The interior is reddish-brown, while the exterior is yellowish-brown with gray spots. The rim features groups of perforations, three of which are preserved in their original state. The diameter of the holes is 0.35 cm. The space between the groups of perforations is decorated with cord impressions. The transition from the neck to the shoulder is adorned with three horizontal lines made with cord, from which, in five places, three vertical lines descend, each 5 cm long, executed using the same technique. At the time of discovery, these lines were filled with a white paste. The space between the groups of lines is decorated at the top with short vertical lines (0.5 cm long), and in the center with a meander ornament made of two parallel lines impressed with cord. The base of the vessel retains the imprint of a textile.
Vessel dimensions: Height: 22 cm; Rim diameter: 15.7 cm; Maximum diameter: 22 cm; Base diameter: 10 cm.

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Events Archive

International Children's Day at the Museum

May 28, 2023

On May 28, the National Museum of History of Moldova organized a series of special activities dedicated to International Children's Day. Under the banner "Always stay a child!..", the event gathered a lot of enthusiastic participants, who spent a day full of fun and smiles.

During this event, children and parents had the opportunity to visit the museum's permanent and temporary exhibitions for free, thus discovering the richness of our history and culture. This opportunity allowed the children to learn in an interactive and engaging way.

Also, we prepared a series of cultural-entertaining activities, aimed at stimulating children's creativity and imagination. Among them, the "Colors of childhood on paper" activity was carried out, in which the little ones could make various applications from colored paper. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to showcase their artistic talent and develop their creative skills.

The event continued with the screening of the artistic film "Maria Mirabela", a Romanian-Soviet co-production that brought joy and emotion to the hearts of those present.

During the workshop "In the world of Cucuteni ornaments", the children had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the Cucuteni-Tripoli culture and paint miniature vessels using motifs specific to this ancient culture. Through this hands-on activity, children learned about traditions and art while developing manual skills and imagination.

The event ended with the screening of the artistic film "Dănilă Prepeleac", a production of the Cinematographic Studio "Buciumul" in collaboration with Moldova-Film and Romania Film.

The National Museum of History of Moldova thanks everyone who participated in this special event and celebrated childhood with us!