#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.

Virtual Tour

Events Archive

The National Session of Archaeological Reports (campaign 2021)

April 20, 2022

On April 20, 2022, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the National Archaeological Commission, the National Session of Reports "Archaeological Research in the Republic of Moldova, Campaign 2021" took place. The scientific meeting was organized in partnership by the National Archaeological Agency and the National Museum of History of Moldova on the occasion of the International Day for Monuments and Sites celebrated annually on April 18.

During the session, which took place at the National Museum of History of Moldova, 21 scientific communications were presented. Some of them concern preventive and/or rescue archaeological research coordinated by the National Archaeological Agency, including the investigations at the multi-layered site of Costești-Gârlea (Ialoveni district). We should also mention the preventive investigations at the Soroca Fortress and in the area of the former Church Museum in Chișinău, coordinated by Dr. habil. Sergiu Musteață, which gave very important results. It is also worth mentioning the communication regarding the rescue investigations of the multi-layered site of Lipoveni, presented by Dr. Sergiu Matveev and Dr. Vlad Vornic, who provided interesting discoveries related to the Iron Age, in particular the finds dated the 1^st-2^nd centuries AD.

Among the communications concerning systematic research, it is worth highlighting those regarding the investigations coordinated by Dr. Aurel Zanoci and Dr. Octavian Munteanu and aimed at discoveries in the Saharna and Old Orhei microzones related to the Iron Age and the early Middle Ages. Of particular interest was the communication presented by Mariana Vasilache regarding the interdisciplinary non-invasive research carried out by a joint Moldavian-German team at 14 sites (13 Cucuteni sites and a settlement of the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture) in the north of the Republic. Moldova. Dr. Ghenadie Sîrbu presented the unpublished results of excavations at Gordinești II-Stînca goală, carried out on the basis of a Moldavian-Polish project.

In conclusion, the participants confirmed the need for archaeological research using interdisciplinary methods, which must be continued and expanded in the coming years. Archaeological heritage is the hallmark of the national heritage of the Republic of Moldova at the international level, it must be explored, developed and protected!

The program of the session is available here, summaries of communications can be found here.