Bronze cauldrons of the Scythian time are rare in the Northern Black Sea region, especially on its western borders. Therefore, those few items found on the territory of the Republic of Moldova occupy a worthy place in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova (NMHM). In particular, in the archaeological exhibition, two bronze cauldrons are displayed, discovered near the village of Nicolscoe in 1988 in burial mounds no. 14 and 15. In addition, in 2020, two bronze cauldrons without any accompanying documents were found in the collection of NMHM; however, they were visually identified as coming from various excavations in the Low Dniester region, such as burial mound no. 45 near Dubăsari and burial mound no. 1 near the Răscăieții Noi village.
The object presented as the exhibit of the month is a little-known find discovered in 1979 in barrow 1 near the village of Răscăieții Noi in the Ștefan Vodă district. In addition to its outstanding size (about 10 m high), this mound is known for discovering a cast bronze finial in the Scythian animal style on its surface in 1953. However, by the beginning of excavations, the locals had damaged part of the mound and a Scythian cast bronze cauldron was found near it. The cauldron was seriously damaged by mechanical impact, as a result of which the rim was deformed, and the walls, with one preserved vertical handle, were bent inwards. Fragments in the upper part of the body and one handle have been lost. The total reconstructed height of the cauldron is 24 cm (excluding the handles), the reconstructed diameter of the hemispherical cauldron is 30 cm, and the weight is 6.5 kg. In 2020, data on the chemical composition of the bronze cauldron alloy were obtained, revealing that it was cast from an alloy of almost 95 per cent copper. Unfortunately, due to the loss of information on the context of the discovery of the cauldron at Răscăieții Noi, it is impossible to link its discovery with one or another Scythian burial of the barrow. Moreover, the grave goods of other Scythian burials of Barrow 1 do not allow them to date below the 4th century BC. However, the cauldron with vertical handles from Răscăieții Noi most likely belongs earlier. This may be indicated by a bronze finial from the first half of the 5th century BC, which was found on this barrow in 1953. In addition, burial 7 from the nearest excavated barrow 2 at Răscăieții Noi, containing a plaque depicting a rolled predator (a copy of which is also on display at the NMHM), belongs to the mid- 5th century BC. Thus, there is a high probability that the cauldron from Barrow 1 at Răscăieții Noi is associated with the late Middle Scythian period or the mid-5th century BC.
Scythian bronze cauldrons in the west area are concentrated in three main regions: Bukovina-Podolia, the Lower Danube, and the Lower Dniester. Some Scythian cauldrons have no reliable archaeological context. Nevertheless, in combination with the same "stray" finds like the Scythian statues, the finds of Scythian cauldrons mark the Scythian presence, most likely not earlier than the late 6th century or even the turn of the 6th-5th centuries BC. The cauldrons first appeared in Bukovina, where they have been known since the middle of the 7th century BC. Bronze cauldrons (with their carriers) entered the steppe region 150-200 years later, and the "military" burials that appeared in the western steppe regions were no earlier than the middle of the 5th century BC. Most burials with cauldrons (and, apparently, the stray finds) are dated back to the second half of the 5th century BC. Then, in the early 4th century BC, their quantity was reduced, and after the first quarter of the 4th century BC, they completely disappeared from the cultural practice of the population of the steppes of the North-Western Black Sea region.
Fortifications of the Early Iron Age settlement Saharna Mare
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Today over 82 Iron Age monuments are known in the area of the Middle Dniester, Central Moldavian Hills. The most impressive monuments are situated on high promontories and heights close to Saharna village, Republic of Moldova. These sites of ancient settlements and villages are known since the end of the 40s of the 20th c., when G.D. Smirnov carried out the first reconnaissance excavations. Saharna Mare settlement stands out among these monuments. Since 2001 systematic archeological research has been carried out on the site. Saharna Mare is situated on a high stony triangular promontory surrounded from all sides by deep inaccessible ravines. The promontory is accessible only from the South. Archeological research proves that the site was populated as early as the Early Iron Age when a Hallstatt settlement of Saharna-Solonceni type was founded there. Consequently the promontory was fortified in the south by a complex system of defense. It contained a wall which went from south-east to northwest, with a ditch and three semicircular ramparts in the centre and flanks.
A comprehensive study of Saharna Mare fortifications offers certain corrections to our understanding of the construction methods at ancient settlements in the 1st millennium BC. Remains of earth mounds almost always are wrecks of a once erected “wall”. The analysis of the main line of defensive system and two ramparts (the third is demolished) has shown that the fortification was constructed out of a timber wooden drainage placed on the leveled surface. In order to save the wooden fl oaring from moisture the gap was filled by sand. The timber drainage which was the footing of the fortification was pierced by poles located evenly and strengthened by longitudinal and transversal beams on different levels. This wooden carcass was filled by earth, stones, sand and clay. To ensure the preservation of the fortification the framework was filled by building material layer by layer. The outer sides of walls of the majority of settlements which were constructed following these methods have a 2-2,7 m wide berm. It was used as a base for a construction of clay and crushed stones aimed at protecting the wooden wall from fires, and it was thicker at its bottom and narrowing on its way to the top.
Ca. 2 meters away from its southern outer side a ditch was dug, with its width at the mouth varying between 16,5-18,0 m. Excavations have shown that in antiquity the width of the ditch on the surface was ca. 15,6 m, at the bottom – 6,1 m, the depth was 3,2 m, and its 2,1 m was dug out of the stony base of the promontory.
Horseshoe-shaped ramparts which were bordering the ditch were built using the same methodology. The precise time of erection and demolition of the defenses is so far difficult to establish with any precision. Following the analysis of the discovered material it is obvious that all of them were intact and functioning in the 4th –3d c. BC.
Bronze cauldrons of the Scythian time are rare in the Northern Black Sea region, especially on its western borders. Therefore, those few items found on the territory of the Republic of Moldova occupy a worthy place in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova (NMHM)...
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.