#Exhibit of the Month

The grapevine plant, now widespread across the globe, traces its origins back to the Upper Cretaceous geological period, when species of Vitis Linn appeared on Earth (Mesozoic era), followed later by Vitis vinifera L., the latter already classified among cultivated agricultural plants. Most researchers link the origin of the cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) to the wild forest species Vitis sylvestris Gmel. Thickets of Vitis sylvestris Gmel. can still sporadically be found in the groves along the Prut and Dniester floodplains.

During the Precucuteni III - Trypillia A period (ca. 4750-4600 BC), the presence of cultivated grape seeds was clearly documented on pottery from the settlement of Ruseştii Noi I, layer I, kiln A, consisting of a seed impression on a ceramic fragment, with the elongated beak characteristic of the domesticated species Vitis vinifera L. Another seed impression of Vitis vinifera L. was recorded at the settlement of Vărvăreuca VIII, identified on the wall of a painted vessel from the Cucuteni B - Trypillia CI stage (3800-3500/3300 BC).
In October, on the occasion of the National Wine Day, the National Museum of History of Moldova presents to your attention a unique relic in Southeastern Europe. The exhibit originates from the settlement Brînzeni VIII "Sâiece," belonging to the Cucuteni-Trypillia culture and dated to the Cucuteni AB2 - Trypillia B2 phase (ca. 4050-3800 BC), located in Brînzeni village, Edineț district. The site lies 2 km southwest of the locality, in a triangle formed by the confluence of the Racovăț and Drobiște streams and the local road L36 Bădragii Vechi-Brînzeni. Positioned on land 25-30 meters above the valley, it was discovered in 1966 by archaeologist Nicolaie Chetraru and investigated through excavations between 1978-1980 by Vsevolod Marchevici.
The October exhibit is a grapevine leaf impression discovered in 1980. It comes from pit no. 5, partially investigated, with a maximum depth of 155 cm. From the same archaeological complex near dwelling no. 1, several grape seeds were also recovered, as noted in the excavation report. The grapevine leaf impression appears on a coarse clay lump, fired and vitrified due to secondary burning, reddish in color, with an irregular rectangular, flattened shape. The outer surface is uneven and rough. The impression surface is smoothed, with the leaf veins clearly highlighted. Measuring 99 mm in length, 110 mm in width, and 28-31 mm in thickness, the exhibit presents in full splendor an authentic grapevine leaf impression. Some researchers attribute it to the domesticated grapevine Vitis vinifera L., while others, more skeptical, consider it a wild species. Nevertheless, being discovered in a well-documented archaeological context, together with grape seeds near a dwelling, it provides evidence that grapevine was part of Cucuteni community life 6,000 years ago. These findings allow us to affirm that the process of domestication and the creation of table grapes was already underway. The diversity of Cucuteni ceramic forms, as well as the painting on some vessels, undoubtedly suggests their use as containers for various liquids. Accordingly, the emergence of wine among Cucuteni communities can be taken into consideration.

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Presentation of the book “History of Bessarabia. Vol. 1: Preludes. From Paleolithic to the end of Antiquity” by Ion Ţurcanu

November 30, 2016

The National Museum of History of Moldova and the Editorial-Polygraphic House „Ştiința" have organized a book launch event on November 30, 2016, in the Blue Room of the museum, with presentation of publication signed by Țurcanu Ion - „Istoria Basarabiei. Vol. 1: Preludii. Din paleolitic până la sfârșitul Antichității" (History of Bessarabia. Vol.1: Prelude. From Palaeolithic until the end of Antiquity), Chișinău, 2016, 868 p. + 32 plates.

The first volume of History of Bessarabia covers a large historical period of Prut and Dniester Rivers interfluves' past - from the early Stone Age, about 1.5 million years ago, until the sunset of the ancient civilization in the 4th-6th centuries AD.

Part I, entitled Stone Age, which commonly is called prehistory and chronologically is the largest historical period, highlights the emergence and evolution of human society with all the complexity of events that characterize it: physical evolution of man, technological progress, great changes in social relations, spiritual culture.

In Part II, Age of Metals, dated between about the second half of 4th millennia BC and the 3rd century BC, known as proto history, introduces Bronze Age cultures in Bessarabia, then describes the Thracian civilization in this region and the presence of the Scythians.

Part III, Classical Antiquity, covers the history of Greek and Roman cities of Tyras and Nikonion at the Lower Dniester, presents testimonies of the Getae-Dacian civilization in it's most developed stage and the habitat of free Dacian from Bessarabia, and temporary stay in this space of migrating peoples. The presentation ends with a description of daily life of the local Dacian-Roman population at the end of Antiquity and the early Middle Ages.

At the book launch event participated dr. hab. Eugen SAVA, general director of the National Museum of History of Moldova; dr. hab. Oleg LEVIŢCHI, director of the Center of Archaeology of the Institute of Cultural Heritage, ASM; dr., assoc. prof. Octavian MUNTEANU, head of Universal History Chair of the State Pedagogical University "Ion Creanga", Larisa CIOBANU, researcher at the Centre of Archaeology of the Institute of Cultural Heritage, ASM; Gheorghe PRINI, director of the editorial-polygraphic house „Știința"; researchers, museographers, scholars and artists.