The exhibit of the month for November is a rare glass goblet from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov cemetery, discovered in Tigheci. Dated to the second half of the 4th century AD, this remarkable artifact demonstrates the craftsmanship of the time, made from translucent greenish glass with a truncated cone shape and intricate geometric decoration. The goblet features three rows of hexagonal facets, framed by incised lines, and a row of elongated ovals under the rim, characteristics which classify it within Series VII A, according to E. Straume's classification. These ornamental traits hint at artistic influences from various regions and indicate the spread of technologies and ideas within the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture.
Archaeological Context of the Discovery
The Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov cemetery at Tigheci is located in a historically complex area, positioned on the northwest slope of the Tigheci River, at the "La Lutărie" point. First identified in the 1980s following unauthorized clay extraction, the cemetery has suffered considerable damage, leading to the loss of valuable artifacts and the destruction of graves. Among the objects recovered by Mr. Ion Pușcașu, founder of the Museum of History and Ethnography in Tigheci, are wheel-thrown ceramic items reflecting the traditions and techniques of communities during the Migration Period.
The site was first archaeologically investigated in 1990, when a complete inhumation grave was found, though lacking any inventory. Subsequent surveys in 2013 and 2015 by the National Archaeological Agency revealed ongoing erosion damaging the cemetery, necessitating a rescue excavation in 2017. This campaign documented and investigated five graves from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture, including the skeletal remains of a male individual estimated to have been 40 to 45 years old at the time of death, offering additional insights into the demographic structure of this community.
Cultural Significance and Comparisons
The hexagonally faceted glass goblet is among the most valuable artifacts from the Tigheci cemetery. Similar goblets are characteristic of the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture and have been found in notable sites such as Târgșor and Bârlad-Valea Seacă (Romania) and Gavrilovka, Ranjevoe (Ukraine), reflecting the cultural and trade connections of this community with other centers of influence in Late Antiquity. Ancient texts and cultural parallels suggest a complex interaction zone with Hellenistic and Roman influences, reflected in luxury goods production such as this glass goblet.
Aspects of the Moldavian Soviet writers' activity in 1942-1944
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
After June 22, 1941 the Soviet Writers’ Union of Moldavia was inactive for almost a year. In June 1942 the Group of Moldavian Writers under the rule of I. Ciobanu consisted of I. Canna, V. Galiț, L. Deleanu, V. Polyakov (composer), M. Kakhana, and L. Barsky. After the conference of Moldavian writers held in Moscow in September 1942 there were written many letters to the CC of the C(b)P of Moldavia and to the leadership of the Moldavian Writers’ Union. Kakhana wrote about the lack of organization, Canna – about mistakes made by the Writers’ Union in 1940-1941, when such writers as N. Costenco, M. Curicheru, Barcari, and Țurcan were ignored. In January 1944 Bucov criticized Canna and Istru for “Moldovenism”. In his report of March 3, 1944 Canna summarized the work done by 11 members and five young writers of the Union during the war. He also mentioned the necessity of a literary journal and the need to write theater plays about the “historical people’s heroes” – the hospodars Stephen the Great, Vasile Lupu, Alexander the Good, Dimitrie Cantemir and the Bolsheviks Grigory Kotovsky, Sergey Lazo, and others. The first meeting of the writers after their return (with the Red Army) took place on May 26, 1944 at Soroca. The main discussed issues were the work on the hymn of the Moldavian SSR, preparing for the celebrations on June 28, publication of brochures with literary works of members of the Union, etc. This study is based on the documents from the Archives of the Socio-Political Organizations of the Republic of Moldavia (Fund 51, Inventory 1, Folder 107), which contains documents on the activities of the Soviet Writers’ Union of Moldavia from 1942 to August 1944.
List of attachments:
Attachment 1. Meetings held at the Soviet Writers’ Union of Moldavia (January-May 1941) – the date, the author discussed, the referent and participants.
Attachment 2. Timesheet of writers’ presence at the discussions in February-May 1941.
Attachment 3. Work plan of the Group of Moldavian Writers attached to the CC of the C(b)P of Moldavia for the period of from June 1 to October !, 1942.
Attachment 4. Part of the letter of Moses Kakhana-Ardeleanu to the Secretary of the CC of the C(b)P of Moldavia N. Salogor and the Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars M. Konstantinov (15 January 1943).
Attachment 5. The letter of I. Canna to the Secretary of the CC of the C(b)P of Moldavia Zelenchuk concerning the works sent to the State Publishing House of Moldavia (16 September 1943).
Attachment 6. Fragment of Emilian Bukov’s letter in which he criticizes Bogdan Istru and Ion Canna for “Moldovenism” (10 January 1944).
Attachment 7. Report of the Moldavian writer’s organization sent to CC of the C(b)P of Moldavia by I. Canna (3 March 1944).
Marius Tărîță
The Khrushchev Thaw in the literature: the Republican Conference of Young Writers (Chisinau, November 22-24, 1957)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2015
The exhibit of the month for November is a rare glass goblet from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov cemetery, discovered in Tigheci. Dated to the second half of the 4th century AD, this remarkable artifact demonstrates the craftsmanship of the time, made from translucent greenish glass with a truncated cone shape and intricate geometric decoration....
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
