#Exhibit of the Month

The Roman bronze situla comes from a collection of archaeological artifacts confiscated at customs and transferred to the holdings of the National Museum of History of Moldova in 2009. Its place of discovery remains unknown.

A situla (Latin for "bucket") is a metal vessel-usually made of bronze-shaped like a pail and equipped with two movable handles at the top, traditionally used for mixing wine with water. The handles are attached to the vessel via two decorated ears that are welded to the rim.

The body of the situla is truncated-conical in shape and features two decorative bands with small circular patterns formed by hammering, located just below the rim.

Its base is double-layered: the inner bottom is hemispherical and hammered, while the outer bottom is flat and lathe-made. The outer base is welded to the inner bottom, serving as the vessel's foot-support.

This object was crafted using a combination of casting, hammering, and partial lathe-finishing. Dimensions: Maximum height - 31.7 cm; Maximum diameter - 22.8 cm; Base diameter - 13.5 cm

Situlae of this type originated in the Roman Empire and were later adopted by various ancient peoples, including those from the northwestern Pontic region.

Virtual Tour

Events Archive

The scientific-practical seminar "The system of administration of archaeological heritage in the museums of the Republic of Moldova"

June 14, 2023

On June 14, 2023, in the Blue Hall of the National Museum of History of Moldova, took place the scientific-practical seminar "Archaeological Heritage Management System in the Museums of the Republic of Moldova", organized in collaboration with the National Archaeological Agency and under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova.

The event, which took place as part of the European Days of Archaeology, brought together museum institutions subordinated to local public authorities in the Republic of Moldova. Participants had the opportunity to interact and learn from established specialists in the field of archaeology, who brought up current issues regarding the protection and enhancement of archaeological heritage.

The seminar was divided into two main sections. In the first section, the specialist communications were supported by the following experts:

Dr. hab. Gheorghe Postică addressed the topic of archaeological heritage from the perspective of local museums in the Republic of Moldova, Dr. Vlad Vornic discussed the current issues of protecting archaeological heritage and national legislation, Dr. Sergiu Popovici reported on the current status of the register of archaeological sites in the Republic of Moldova, Dr. Ion Tentiuc supported a case study entitled "The local museum and archaeological research in the town of Chisinau", and Dr. Vasile Iucal, the director of the Museum of History and Ethnography in Ungheni, discussed the experiences and problems in capitalizing on the mobile archaeological heritage at the Museum of History and Ethnography from Ungheni.

The second section of the seminar was dedicated to free discussions between researchers and representatives of local museums regarding the archaeological heritage management system. The participants had the opportunity to discuss the identification, protection and promotion of archaeological heritage, the formation of an electronic database, the preservation and exhibition of archaeological heritage, the synthesis of archaeological heritage, the ways of collecting movable archaeological artifacts in local museums, as well as the role of museums in combating archaeological poaching and in the identification and protection of archaeological sites.

The seminar represented a valuable opportunity for learning and exchange of experience between specialists in the field of archeology and local museums. The participants had the opportunity to consolidate their knowledge, explore innovative approaches and identify ways to improve the archaeological heritage management system in the museums of the Republic of Moldova.