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.
Regarding two medieval coin hoards from Florești district, Republic of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Author suggests some clarifications regarding the content of the Mărculești and Băhrinești coin hoards transferred by A.A. Nudelman in 1986 to the holdings of the Archaeology Institute of the Science Academy.
The hoard from Mărculești village, Florești district was acquired by the holdings under the acts № 57 of March 21, 1986 (2465 coins) and № 65 of September 23, 1986 (two more copies), inventory numbers 2064-4530.
Both hoards were described by A. Nudelman in the article “Неизданные монетные клады XVI-XVII вв. из Днестровско-Прутского региона” (Средневековые памятники Днестровско-Прутского междуречья, Кишинёв, 1988, 145-148) in which the author introduces the Mărculești hoard as the Băhrinești hoard and vice versa, thus contradicting the content of the delivery-acceptance acts.
It is also to be pointed out that in the mentioned work the quantity of analyzed coins as well as identification of some issues differs from the coins kept in the holdings of the museum. The author just names the country and the issuer.
The author of the present article researched only the Mărculești hoard coins which had been included in the holdings of the museum and published “Un tezaur monetar gasit in s. Mărculești” (Arheologia Moldovei 18, 1995, 305-309) in order to rule out alternative versions regarding the coins of the mentioned hoards. The work contains a thorough description of the averse and reverse sides of each coin, indicates size and weight, determines mints, and comprises illustrative material.
From our point of view, it is necessary to analyze the Băhrinești hoard coins the same way (at the present time both hoards are kept in the National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova).
According to archaeologist V.I. Markevich, the coin hoard was discovered in 1980 near the railroad in the neighbor- hood of Băhrinești village. As a result of 1986 Florești archaeological expedition, A.A. Nudelman transferred 320 coins to the funds of the Archaeology Institute.
In 1990 A.A. Nudelman in the article “Бэхринештский клад и польско-литовские монеты в молдавских тезаврациях” (Нумизматические издания по истории Юго-Восточной Европы, Кишинёв, 1990, 185-203) includes in the scientific turnover fifty nine coins which were placed at his disposal for publication. This lot isn’t part of the above-mentioned Bagrinesti hoard consisting of 320 coins. The Bagrinesti hoard contains small European coins of the 16th-17th centuries: 305 coins are Lithuanian 1/2 groschen minted in Vilno town. The coins have been put in a chronological sequence: Alexander I Jagiello, 1495-1501 – 1 coin; Sigismund I the Old – 3 coins (1510, 1520, 1521); Sigismund II Augustus – 301 1/2 groschen (1546-1567); Świdnica – 1/2 grosch (1523) during Louis II Jagiello reign (1516-1526).
The lot also contains 9 Hungarian dinars minted in Kremnica between 1546 and 1602 by the Habsburg House rulers: Ferdinand I – 4 coins (1545, 1557, 1558, 1563); Maximilian II – 1 coin, 1568; Rudolf II – 3 coins (1585, 1596, 1602); Matyáš II – dinars, 1610.
The hoard also includes 5 schillings: 1 – Poland, the Krakow mint, Stefan Batory, 1580; 1 – Gdansk, Sigismund III, 1532; 1 schilling, Riga, 1601, Sigismund III; 1 – Lithuania, the Vilno mint, Sigismund III, 1621; 1 schilling, Prussia, 1560, Königsberg mint, Albrecht I von Brandenburg reign (1525-1568).
The earliest coin of the hoard dates back to 1495-1501, and the latest coin dates back to 1621.
Анна Никулицэ
Golden and silver adornment objects discovered at the Aeneolithic and Bronze Age monuments (on the materials from the NMAHM collections
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Анна Никулицэ
Silverware and coins from the two medieval hoards
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2007
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
