The grapevine plant, now widespread across the globe, traces its origins back to the Upper Cretaceous geological period, when species of Vitis Linn appeared on Earth (Mesozoic era), followed later by Vitis vinifera L., the latter already classified among cultivated agricultural plants. Most researchers link the origin of the cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) to the wild forest species Vitis sylvestris Gmel. Thickets of Vitis sylvestris Gmel. can still sporadically be found in the groves along the Prut and Dniester floodplains.
During the Precucuteni III - Trypillia A period (ca. 4750-4600 BC), the presence of cultivated grape seeds was clearly documented on pottery from the settlement of Ruseştii Noi I, layer I, kiln A, consisting of a seed impression on a ceramic fragment, with the elongated beak characteristic of the domesticated species Vitis vinifera L. Another seed impression of Vitis vinifera L. was recorded at the settlement of Vărvăreuca VIII, identified on the wall of a painted vessel from the Cucuteni B - Trypillia CI stage (3800-3500/3300 BC). In October, on the occasion of the National Wine Day, the National Museum of History of Moldova presents to your attention a unique relic in Southeastern Europe. The exhibit originates from the settlement Brînzeni VIII "Sâiece," belonging to the Cucuteni-Trypillia culture and dated to the Cucuteni AB2 - Trypillia B2 phase (ca. 4050-3800 BC), located in Brînzeni village, Edineț district. The site lies 2 km southwest of the locality, in a triangle formed by the confluence of the Racovăț and Drobiște streams and the local road L36 Bădragii Vechi-Brînzeni. Positioned on land 25-30 meters above the valley, it was discovered in 1966 by archaeologist Nicolaie Chetraru and investigated through excavations between 1978-1980 by Vsevolod Marchevici. The October exhibit is a grapevine leaf impression discovered in 1980. It comes from pit no. 5, partially investigated, with a maximum depth of 155 cm. From the same archaeological complex near dwelling no. 1, several grape seeds were also recovered, as noted in the excavation report. The grapevine leaf impression appears on a coarse clay lump, fired and vitrified due to secondary burning, reddish in color, with an irregular rectangular, flattened shape. The outer surface is uneven and rough. The impression surface is smoothed, with the leaf veins clearly highlighted. Measuring 99 mm in length, 110 mm in width, and 28-31 mm in thickness, the exhibit presents in full splendor an authentic grapevine leaf impression. Some researchers attribute it to the domesticated grapevine Vitis vinifera L., while others, more skeptical, consider it a wild species. Nevertheless, being discovered in a well-documented archaeological context, together with grape seeds near a dwelling, it provides evidence that grapevine was part of Cucuteni community life 6,000 years ago. These findings allow us to affirm that the process of domestication and the creation of table grapes was already underway. The diversity of Cucuteni ceramic forms, as well as the painting on some vessels, undoubtedly suggests their use as containers for various liquids. Accordingly, the emergence of wine among Cucuteni communities can be taken into consideration.
Geospatial and archaeological research in the micro-zone of Horodiște-Tipova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
From the right bank of the Dniester, north of the village of Țipova (Rezina District) begins a deep gorge with steep slopes. Near the village of Horodiște the gorge divides, forming a network of canyons which, in turn, outline a series of headlands.
As a result of study of orthophotoplans and archaeological reconnaissance in the micro-zone there was discovered an "agglomeration" of sites, consisting of six fortifi cations (Horodiște „La Cot", Horodiște „La Șanț", Horodiște II, Buciușca II, Buciușca III, Țipova III ) and two unfortifi ed settlements (fig. 2).
In order to investigate the defense system and to determine the period of its functioning at Horodiște „La Cot" and Horodiște „La Șanț" an archeological research was carried out (fi g. 3-7). As a result, it was found that these fortifi ed settlements were surrounded by "walls" consisting of two wooden facings with a fi lling of earth and stone.
The archaeological materials recovered from the filling of the "walls" indicate that the fortifi cation of Horodiște „La Şanț" functioned during the early Hallstatt (Cozia-Saharna culture), and one of Horodiște „La Cot" - in the 4th - 3rd centuries BC (fi g. 8-12).
Based on the compact arrangement of fortifi cations and unfortifi ed settlements in the micro-zone of Horodiște-Tipova, it can be assumed the existence of some formation in this space, the "administrative center" of which was the fortress of Horodiște "La Cot". The period of its existence is still not clear. But if we take into account that most of the fortified and unfortifi ed settlements in the Middle Dniester region functioned since the early Iron Age, it can be assumed that the community of the Horodiște-Tipova area settled down here around that time. However, it reaches its peak of development in the 4th - 3rd centuries BC, as well as neighboring communities around Saharna.
List of illustrations:
Fig. 1. 1 - Location of the Horodiște-Țipova micro-region; 2 - digital elevation map of the micro-region. Fig. 2. Orthophotomap of the Horodiște-Țipova micro-region (fortifi ed settlements: 1 - Horodiște „La Cot"; 2 - Horodiște „La Şanț", 3 - Horodiște II; 4 - Buciușca III; 5 - Ţipova III; 6 - Buciușca II; unfortifi ed settlements: 7 - Buciușca IV; 8 - Buciușca V) (by Google Earth). Fig. 3. Horodiște „La Cot". Section no. 1. Ruins of a defensive structure on the south side: 1 - plan and profi le of the section; 2 - vertical stratigraphic profi le of the debris of the wall; 3 - fragments of charred wood. Fig. 4. Horodiște „La Cot": 1 - view of the headland from the northeast; 2, 3 - orthophotomaps tracing anomalies of the defensive line on the northern, eastern and southern sides (by geoportal.md and Google Earth); 4, 5 - remains of the defensive system on the east side today; 6 - view of the headland from the southwest indicating the rampart „C"; 7, 8 - orthophotomaps indicating the defensive lines „A", „B" and „C" (by geoportal.md); 9 - view of the defensive lines „B" and „C" from the northwest. Fig. 5. Horodiște „La Şanț": 1 - view of the headland from the south-west; 2 - orthophotomap of the site; 3, 4 - contour of abnormalities of the defensive lines. Fig. 6. Horodiște „La Şanț": 1 - view of the defensive line no. 1 from the south; 2 - view of the defensive line no. 3 from the south. Fig. 7. Horodiște „La Şanț". Defensive line no. 3. Section no. 1/2013: 1 - plan and profile of the section; 2 - stones from the debris of the "wall"; 3 - vertical profi le of the defensive structure. Fig. 8. Horodiște „La Şanț". The fi nds from the debris of the "wall". Fig. 9. Horodiște „La Şanț". Fragments of pottery of the Cozia-Saharna type from the cultural layer. Fig. 10. Horodiște „La Şanț". The fi nds from the cultural layer (1, 2 - iron; 3 - stone; 4, 5 - clay). Fig. 11. Horodiște „La Şanț". Fragments of vessels from the cultural layer. Fig. 12. Horodiște „La Şanț". Fragments of pots from the cultural layer. Fig. 13. Horodiște II: 1 - view of the headland from the east; 2 - orthophotomap (by geoportal.md). Fig. 14. Buciușca II: 1 - view of the headland from the west; 2 - orthophotomap (by geoportal.md). Fig. 15. Buciușca III: 1 - view of the headland from the south; 2 - orthophotomap (by geoportal.md); 3 -orthophotomap (by Google Earth); 4 - ruins of the defensive system. Fig. 16. Ţipova III. View of the headland from the northeast.
Ion Niculiță, Aurel Zanoci, Mihail Băț, Sergiu Matveev
Archaeological investigations at the site of Saharna Mare (2009-2011) (I)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Aurel Zanoci, Mihail Băț
Archeological researches conducted in 2007 at the Thracian-Getian settlement of Saharna „La Şanț”
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Aurel Zanoci, Mihail Băț
Archeological researches conducted in 2006 at the Thracian-Getian settlement Saharna „La Şanț”
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică Chișinău, 2007
Mihail Băț
Early Iron Age settlement in Ţahnăuţi, Rezina District
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Aurel Zanoci
Zur Typologie und Entwicklung der Befestigungsanlagen östlich der Karpatengebirge im 12./11.-3. Jh. v. Chr.
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
The grapevine plant, now widespread across the globe, traces its origins back to the Upper Cretaceous geological period, when species of Vitis Linn appeared on Earth (Mesozoic era), followed later by Vitis vinifera L., the latter already classified among cultivated agricultural plants. Most researchers link the origin of the cultivated grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) to the wild forest species Vitis sylvestris Gmel...
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
