The exhibit of the month for November is a rare glass goblet from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov cemetery, discovered in Tigheci. Dated to the second half of the 4th century AD, this remarkable artifact demonstrates the craftsmanship of the time, made from translucent greenish glass with a truncated cone shape and intricate geometric decoration. The goblet features three rows of hexagonal facets, framed by incised lines, and a row of elongated ovals under the rim, characteristics which classify it within Series VII A, according to E. Straume's classification. These ornamental traits hint at artistic influences from various regions and indicate the spread of technologies and ideas within the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture.
Archaeological Context of the Discovery
The Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov cemetery at Tigheci is located in a historically complex area, positioned on the northwest slope of the Tigheci River, at the "La Lutărie" point. First identified in the 1980s following unauthorized clay extraction, the cemetery has suffered considerable damage, leading to the loss of valuable artifacts and the destruction of graves. Among the objects recovered by Mr. Ion Pușcașu, founder of the Museum of History and Ethnography in Tigheci, are wheel-thrown ceramic items reflecting the traditions and techniques of communities during the Migration Period.
The site was first archaeologically investigated in 1990, when a complete inhumation grave was found, though lacking any inventory. Subsequent surveys in 2013 and 2015 by the National Archaeological Agency revealed ongoing erosion damaging the cemetery, necessitating a rescue excavation in 2017. This campaign documented and investigated five graves from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture, including the skeletal remains of a male individual estimated to have been 40 to 45 years old at the time of death, offering additional insights into the demographic structure of this community.
Cultural Significance and Comparisons
The hexagonally faceted glass goblet is among the most valuable artifacts from the Tigheci cemetery. Similar goblets are characteristic of the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov culture and have been found in notable sites such as Târgșor and Bârlad-Valea Seacă (Romania) and Gavrilovka, Ranjevoe (Ukraine), reflecting the cultural and trade connections of this community with other centers of influence in Late Antiquity. Ancient texts and cultural parallels suggest a complex interaction zone with Hellenistic and Roman influences, reflected in luxury goods production such as this glass goblet.
Roman coins in the forest-steppe on left bank of the Dnieper: general characteristics, distribution and major problems in the study
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
The spread of Roman coins in the territory of the Chernyakhov culture is different in different regions. The article is devoted to the study of this issue in the forest-steppe of the left bank of the Dnieper. Systematic study of ancient coins began here in the early 20th century, but has been intensified in the last years. Currently, there is known not less than about 208 of find spots of Roman coins with a total of not less than 8150 copies (at least 390 single finds and at least 7760 coins in the hoards). The largest group consists of coins of the 1st - 2nd centuries AD coinage. Most numismatic finds of the 3rd century AD are presented by coins of Asia Minor coinage. Finds of coins of the 4th - first half of 5th centuries AD are uncommon for the region.
List of illustrations:
Fig. 1. Distribution map of finds of Roman coins in the forest-steppe of the left bank of the Dnieper: 1 - single finds of coins of 1st - 2nd centuries AD; 2 - single finds of coins of 3rd century AD; 3 - single finds of coins of 4th century AD; 4 - single finds of coins in the first half of 5th century AD; 5 - hoards of Roman coins of 1st - 2nd centuries AD; 6 - hoard from Rublevka of 4th - early 5th centuries AD; 7 - border of Chernyakhov culture in the region; 8 - boundary of the steppe and forest-steppe in the region.
Fig. 2. Distribution map of single finds of coins of 1st - 2nd (1) and 3rd centuries AD (2) in the area of Chernyakhov culture.
Fig. 3. Distribution map of single finds of coins of 4th century AD (1) and the first half of the 5th century AD (2) in the area of Chernyakhov culture.
Fig. 4. Distribution map of hoards of Roman coins in the area of Chernyakhov culture.
Table 1. The ratio of the number of find spots of Roman coins in different forest-steppe regions of the left bank of the Dnieper.
Table 2. Distribution of single finds of Roman coins by periods.
Table 3. Chronological distribution of coin hoards, with complete or relatively complete composition. Table 4. The distribution of single finds of Roman coins at face value.
The exhibit of the month for November is a rare glass goblet from the Sântana de Mureș-Chernyakhov cemetery, discovered in Tigheci. Dated to the second half of the 4th century AD, this remarkable artifact demonstrates the craftsmanship of the time, made from translucent greenish glass with a truncated cone shape and intricate geometric decoration....
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
