#Exhibit of the Month

The exhibit of the month for November is a rare glass goblet from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov cemetery, discovered in Tigheci. Dated to the second half of the 4th century AD, this remarkable artifact demonstrates the craftsmanship of the time, made from translucent greenish glass with a truncated cone shape and intricate geometric decoration. The goblet features three rows of hexagonal facets, framed by incised lines, and a row of elongated ovals under the rim, characteristics which classify it within Series VII A, according to E. Straume's classification. These ornamental traits hint at artistic influences from various regions and indicate the spread of technologies and ideas within the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture.

Archaeological Context of the Discovery

The Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov cemetery at Tigheci is located in a historically complex area, positioned on the northwest slope of the Tigheci River, at the "La Lutărie" point. First identified in the 1980s following unauthorized clay extraction, the cemetery has suffered considerable damage, leading to the loss of valuable artifacts and the destruction of graves. Among the objects recovered by Mr. Ion Pușcașu, founder of the Museum of History and Ethnography in Tigheci, are wheel-thrown ceramic items reflecting the traditions and techniques of communities during the Migration Period.

The site was first archaeologically investigated in 1990, when a complete inhumation grave was found, though lacking any inventory. Subsequent surveys in 2013 and 2015 by the National Archaeological Agency revealed ongoing erosion damaging the cemetery, necessitating a rescue excavation in 2017. This campaign documented and investigated five graves from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture, including the skeletal remains of a male individual estimated to have been 40 to 45 years old at the time of death, offering additional insights into the demographic structure of this community.

Cultural Significance and Comparisons

The hexagonally faceted glass goblet is among the most valuable artifacts from the Tigheci cemetery. Similar goblets are characteristic of the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture and have been found in notable sites such as Târgșor and Bârlad-Valea Seacă (Romania) and Gavrilovka, Ranjevoe (Ukraine), reflecting the cultural and trade connections of this community with other centers of influence in Late Antiquity. Ancient texts and cultural parallels suggest a complex interaction zone with Hellenistic and Roman influences, reflected in luxury goods production such as this glass goblet.

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Events Archive

Opening of the "Doina Cornea – The Lady Behind the Window" Exhibition

July 3, 2024

On August 3, 2024, at 6:00 PM, the opening of the exhibition "Doina Cornea - The Lady Behind the Window" took place at the National Museum of History of Moldova. The event was organized by the Doina Cornea Foundation from Cluj-Napoca, Romania, in partnership with the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and Civilization of the Levant from Romania and the National Museum of History of Moldova.

The exhibition was meticulously prepared by curator Ileana Cornea, art critic, together with Jean Luc Lemerre, architect, and Leontin Horațiu Iuhas, president of the Doina Cornea Foundation, in collaboration with the National Museum of History of Moldova. The main goal of this exhibition was to open a window through which visitors could see Doina Cornea in all her complexity: as a mother, teacher, politician, artist, and writer.

Doina Cornea established herself as a historical figure involved in the birth of Romanian democracy. Through her 1982 letter to Radio Free Europe, entitled "For Those Who Have Not Forgotten to Think," she became the first private person to publicly oppose the communist system in Romania, denouncing the shortcomings of her fellow citizens from within. For ten years, she sent 33 letters to Radio Free Europe, in which she denounced the daily problems of Romanians during that period.

Visitors had the opportunity to explore exhibits and multimedia materials that illustrated various aspects of her life, from her activities as a teacher and critic of the communist regime to her artistic and literary side.

The exhibition "Doina Cornea - The Lady Behind the Window" can be visited from July 3 to August 4, 2024, in Hall 1 of the National Museum of History of Moldova, Chișinău, 31 August 1989 Street, 121A.