#Exhibit of the Month

The 21 beads form part of a bronze hoard found in 2019 within a forested area close to the town of Nisporeni. Alongside the beads, the hoard included numerous bronze ornaments (2 Röschitz-Sanislău-type fibulae, 7 necklaces, 12 rings, 22 tubes, 23 bracelets, and approximately 80 appliqués), one coral bead and a pendant made from a wild animal's tooth. At present, the amber beads are preserved in the collections of the Muzeul Național de Istorie a Moldovei, while the remainder of the hoard is in the possession of a private collector.
The hoard was discovered accidentally in a pit about 50 cm deep. The objects in this hoard are of Western origin, with known parallels in archaeological complexes from Poland, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia, and, to a lesser extent, in Romania. The presence of this bronze hoard on the territory of the Republic of Moldova illustrates the cultural dynamics of the region during the Early Iron Age and a fundamental shift in the vector of cultural influences from east to west.

The amber bead strand comprises 16 whole beads and five fragmentary ones. They have an elongated biconical shape and vary in size. The beads are brown-reddish in color; their lengths range from 1.1 to 3.1 cm, widths from 0.6 to 1.4 cm, thicknesses from 0.6 to 1.1 cm, and the perforation diameter ranges between 0.2 and 0.3 cm.
Amber beads appear in several bronze hoards dated to the Late Bronze Age in the eastern half of Slovakia and in Transdanubian Hungary. Parallels are also known from the Cioclovina Cave in Romania. With the onset of the Iron Age, amber items disappear from the Carpathian Basin for approximately 300 years, reappearing alongside the arrival of Scythian elements.
The bronze hoard discovered at Nisporeni is dated to the HaA2-HaB1-2 interval (1050/1000 - 800/750 B.C.).

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Events Archive

Opening of the Exhibition "Chișinău at the Red Line"

November 8, 2024

On November 8, 2024, the National Museum of History of Moldova hosted the opening of the documentary exhibition "Chișinău at the Red Line," an initiative that offers the public a profound perspective on the urban heritage of Chișinău and the civic intervention required to protect it. This event, part of a broader project carried out in partnership with the Association for Culture and Arts Arbor and the Arbor Institute for Culture, brought together representatives from the cultural community and civil society to explore both the history and vulnerabilities of the city's architecture.

In his opening speech, the museum's general director, Dr. Eugen Sava, emphasized the crucial role of the museum in promoting and protecting urban heritage and praised the collaboration with civic organizations to draw attention to Chișinău's iconic buildings and monuments. Dr. Sava remarked that this initiative provides the public with the opportunity to reflect on the importance of preserving historic architecture as an integral part of the city's cultural identity.

Project manager Victoria Nagy Vajda highlighted the team's efforts and the commitment of the partners in documenting buildings and public spaces threatened by various urban pressures. "Chișinău at the Red Line," in her words, "is a visual and documentary testimony of the current state of our heritage and a call for collective mobilization to preserve what defines us culturally and historically." The exhibition reflects the intense research work and ongoing dialogue with members of the scientific community, artists, and activists who are fighting to protect historical spaces.

Activist Vitalie Sprânceană spoke about the importance of civil society's involvement in defending architectural heritage, reminding that these buildings and spaces are part of the city's cultural identity and must be protected not only for ourselves but also for future generations. In his words, "Chișinău at the Red Line is more than an exhibition - it is a call to action, an invitation for each of us to contribute to heritage conservation and to be mindful of how the city develops."

The exhibition, open to the public until December 8, 2024, presents a wide selection of documentary materials, collages of historical and contemporary photographs, informative panels, artifacts, and video recordings. These offer visitors a comprehensive view of the current state of Chișinău's urban heritage, showcasing both recent developments and the challenges it faces. The exhibition aims to raise public awareness and promote an active dialogue about the importance and vulnerability of these historical spaces.

The exhibition "Chișinău at the Red Line" will be open from November 8 to December 8, 2024, in Hall 4 of the National Museum of History of Moldova, Chișinău, 31 August 1989 Street, 121A.