#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

The opening of the exhibition "Dacia. The last frontier of Romanianness"

October 27, 2022

On October 27, at the National History Museum of Romania, took place the opening of the exhibition "Dacia. The last frontier of Romanianness".

The event took place in the presence of Mr. Sergiu Nistor, Presidential Advisor, Mr. Lucian Romașcanu, Minister of Culture, Mr. Dr. Ernest Oberländer-Târnoveanu, General Director of the National History Museum of Romania, Mr. Andrés Carretero Pérez, General Director of the National Museum of Archeology from Madrid, who received the distinction of the Order of Cultural Merit in Officer Rank, cat. F - Promotion of Culture, Stéphane Verger, General Director of the National Roman Museum, in Rome and Carlos Barrot, the architect who designed the exhibition.

There were also representatives of partner institutions, members of the Friends of the Museum of Romanian History Foundation, journalists, close collaborators, members of the Terra Dacica Aeterna Association - Bucharest Branch, as well as the history and culture loving public. During the opening, the Minister of Culture of Romania, Mr. Lucian Romașcanu highly appreciated the exhibition "Dacia. The last frontier of Romanianness" pointing out that in 2023, this exhibition will also reach Rome!

The National Museum of History of Moldova contributed to the exhibition "Dacia. The last frontier of Romanity" through 68 pieces from the museum's heritage and we are honored to be part of this grandiose exhibition, which we urge you to visit.

We remind you that the exhibition "Dacia. The last frontier of Romanianness" can be seen at MNIR between October 2022 and March 2023.