This is a case for needles, unusually large in size. It was used in the Stone Age as a container for storing and preserving small and fragile items. The case was discovered by the famous researcher Ilie Borziac in 1996 during archaeological excavations at a multi-layered Upper Paleolithic site in the village of Cosauți, Soroca district. The artifact was found at a depth of 9.7-9.85 m in a loess-like occupation layer, among the remains of a seasonal deer hunter camp (in the so-called occupation layer 5). The occupation layer was dated by radiocarbon method to 18140 ± 180. The object is 17.6 cm long and 1.5 cm in diameter. It was made of a thin-walled tubular bone, probably of a large bird (eagle, bustard or gull). The ends of the object were cut across. A round hole 5 mm in diameter with carefully polished edges was made at one of the ends.
The entire surface of the product is polished to a shine. It is ornamented with notches. The notches are applied rhythmically around the entire perimeter. They, without a doubt, indicate that the work was made by human hands. The length of the notches is 3-3.5 mm. They are located transversely, grouped in three rows. The number of notches in the rows is 8/8, 16/10, 14/7, with an average distance between notches of 4 mm.
The researchers who addressed the issue of the functionality of this rare archaeological piece, put forward several hypotheses. One of them is that the artifact probably had a multifunctional practical utility. According to one hypothesis, the presence of a hole at one end of the object indicates that it is a flute. This opinion was called into question due to the identification of only one obvious hole on the surface of the artifact. Most likely, the presence of the hole indicates that a thread was passed through it to hang the case with needles in order to protect and secure it. On the other hand, the relatively large size of this object also allows it to be used as a coupling. According to another version, this kind of vestiges could be used by hunters to remove skins from hunted animals, as a tube for pumping air under the skin of small animals in the process of skinning them. This not only greatly facilitated the removal of the skin, but also kept the subcutaneous fat intact.
Specimens of equally large sizes, similar to the one found at the ford on the Dniester, made of tubular bone with cut off epiphyses, were discovered at several Neolithic sites in Yakutia. Here they were used as needle cases. Some of them were found with needles inside, which confirmed their practical functionality.
Marriage institution during middle ages: obstacles and prohibitions. Exploration of historical anthropology and comparative studies
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
This article treats the issue concerning the “family history”, particularly, the obstacles and prohibitions dealt with in what regarded marriage, during the respective period; a comparative method is being analyzed here, from an interdisciplinary point of view, outlining both the historical and the judicial aspects of it. The impediments, as well as the conditions of the marriage conclusion have been known in the judicial popular, religious and pravile systems.
Failure to comply with the substantive and formal conditions of the marriage conclusion would lead to the nullity of the act, which could have been absolute or relative. Concerning the absolute ones, the following cases are to be mentioned: wicked marriage (no wedding, incest), cursed marriage (with nuns or religious individuals, or between “believers” and “unbelievers”), forbidden marriages (between relatives, regarding a forbidden relation degree, such as blood kinship spiritual kinship, relationship by marriage). It is important to remark that all the above mentioned cases would entail the dissolution of the marriage, where the ravishers would see themselves expelled from the community (exiled) or have their property confiscated. The people from “the bottom” were also whipped. The relative nullity was declared in case of consent vices and took place at the demand or request of the injured party, which was pleading for being mislead as to the social condition of his/her partner (Istoria 1980, 504-510). The priests who consented the wedding ceremony to the reckless people, were to be defrocked and as for the marriages, they were held void. To conclude, according to the records of the questioned period, some of which one has outlined above, the obstacles to the marriage conclusion were as follows: • Blood relatives on a direct line; • Collateral blood relatives; • Alliance relatives; • Spiritual kinship that comes from the holy baptism as well as adoption; • Mixed marriage (with the heterodox); • Marriage with people deposing vows (monastic vows, particularly); • Illegitimate marriage (non religious wedding ceremony); • Incest (mixed blood); • Marriage conclusion during mourning period; • Bigamy (having two wives or husbands); A fourth marriage (only three were to be considered legal).
Lilia Zabolotnaia
The destiny of woman in the history of Moldavia. Myths and realities about Catherine the Circassian – the second wife of the hospodar Vasile Lupu
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Lilia Zabolotnaia
Testament of Moldavian princess Maria (Lupu) Radziwill from 1659
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIII [XXVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Lilia Zabolotnaia
The bounds of the private in the life of Antiochus Cantemir: Myths, speculations and realness regarding his secret family in Paris
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIV [XXIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Lilia Zabolotnaia
Women and power in the history of the Asan dynasty
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Lilia Zabolotnaia
The first testament of Maria Cantemir, from 1725
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
This is a case for needles, unusually large in size. It was used in the Stone Age as a container for storing and preserving small and fragile items. The case was discovered by the famous researcher Ilie Borziac in 1996 during archaeological excavations at a multi-layered Upper Paleolithic site in the village of Cosauți, Soroca district...
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
