The artifact is a battle axe made from magmatic rock (diabase) of gray-brown color. It was accidentally discovered in 1966 within the territory of Aluniș village, Rîșcani district. Based on its morphological characteristics, the artifact can be attributed to the Catacomb culture (29th-22nd centuries BCE).
The axe features a massive, elongated naviform body with slightly pronounced shoulders, a short and narrow edge that is flat and circular in cross-section. The blade is slightly curved. The hole was drilled in the maximum width of the object. It is circular in shape with a diameter of 2.2 cm. The surface of the artifact is meticulously polished, worked with great care, and shows no signs of damage or chipping.
Dimensions: Length: 20.0 cm; Maximum width: 8.4 cm; Edge diameter: 5.0 cm; Blade width: 7.0 cm; Weight: 2.3 kg.
Stone battle axes are characteristic of the Catacomb culture communities and are most often found as grave goods, deposited in tombs. Their presence in funerary complexes suggests a multifaceted functionality: weapons, social symbols, and ritual objects. Initially used as weapons, the axes became social symbols for their owners, later acquiring votive significance when deposited in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife.
The social symbolic function of stone battle axes is indicated by the high-quality rocks used for their manufacture and the exceptionally meticulous craftsmanship. The large dimensions of the axe from Aluniș support this hypothesis and distinguish it from other examples.
The discovery of stone battle axes outside a funerary complex may indicate their votive deposition. It is difficult to imagine that these exceptionally well-crafted pieces, made from high-quality rocks transported over great distances, could have been abandoned or lost accidentally. It is far more likely that they were deposited for magical-religious purposes, a possibility that may also apply to the stone axe discovered at Aluniș.
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică Chișinău, 2015
Abstract
The article presents the coin finds discovered in 2014 and in early 2015. One of the most important discoveries of 2014 is a hoard of drachmas from Histria found somewhere in the left bank of the Dniester River. The author cites data on 26 coins from the hoard. This finding is dated the middle of the 3rd century. There are presented several Roman coins issued by Marcus Aurelius (161-180), Elagabalus (218-222), and Philip the Arab, which were found at different times in and around the village of Sauca, Ocnița District. During the spring fi eld work in the village of Gârbovăț (Anenii Noi District) there was found a siliqua issued by Constantius II, which was minted at Antioch and dates back to the period of time between September 9, 337 and the end of 347. This coin is a rarity, at least for Moldova. There are several findings dating to the Middle Ages, including five Moldavian coins of Alexander the Good (groschen and half groschen) and Stephen IV as well as a Polish shilling of John II Casimir, which were discovered near the village of Rădenii Vechi, Ungheni District; coin finds in the area of the Soroca fortress in 2014 and in the spring of 2015; coins found in the village of Ciutești, Nisporeni District, etc. Among the finds from the village Opriseni, Chernivtsi region (Ukraine) there is mentioned a groschen of Peter I Mușat (1375-1391) minted after 1386/1387.
Ana Boldureanu
Chronicle of monetary discoveries (IV)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Ana Boldureanu
Chronicle of monetary findings (VII)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Ana Boldureanu
Chronicle of coin findings (XI)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Ana Boldureanu
Олександр Огуй, Монетнi знахiдки на Буковинi. Системно-квантитативне зiставлення. Чернiвцi, ЧНУ, 2008, 252 p. + 4 hărți + 4 pl. ISBN 978-966-423-018-3
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Ana Boldureanu
Chronicle of coin finds (XII-XIII)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIII [XXVIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
The artifact is a battle axe made from magmatic rock (diabase) of gray-brown color. It was accidentally discovered in 1966 within the territory of Aluniș village, Rîșcani district. Based on its morphological characteristics, the artifact can be attributed to the Catacomb culture (29th-22nd centuries BCE)...
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.