The exhibit represents a fragment from a unique amphora discovered in 1988 in a ceramic kiln from the Chirileni III settlement (Sîngerei district), attributed to the Cucuteni-Tripolie archaeological culture stage CII (5th-4th millennia BC).
The ceramic fragment with painted human and geometric representations constitutes about 50% of the upper part of an amphora, made of clay paste without impurities. It is burned in an oxidizing environment, with a reddish color in the section. The inner surface of the vessel is covered with a pink-whitish color layer, and the smoothed and polished exterior is covered with a yellowish-gray engobe start. The body of the amphora is spheroidal with four pyramidal cakes on the shoulder, and the neck is high frustoconical with a short outwardly turned lip. The dimensions of the bowl: lip diameter - 18 cm; maximum body diameter - 43-45 cm; neck height - 13 cm; height of exposed fragment - 43 cm; the estimated total height of the vessel is 55-60 cm. Thickness at the lip - 6-7 mm, at the neck - 9-11 mm, and at the body - 10-13 mm.
The outer surface of the amphora in a proportion of about 4/5, except for the lower part, is bicolorly decorated with black and brown paint, the brush being used as a tool, which can be felt from the specific application of the lines. Two brushes were most likely used. The ornament is divided into three horizontal registers that surround the vessel dividing the interior into metopes. The decoration is composed of lines arranged vertically, horizontally or obliquely forming geometric compositions of the net type.
The special significance of the amphora resides in the representation in the middle register of the painting of the stylized scene of a female ritual dance. The scene painted on the body of the amphora represents the image of a group made up of 9 female characters assisted by two dogs and 3 snakes. The female images are represented schematically, with the emphasis on long legs, mini-trapezoidal skirts, short stretched bodies, folded dancing hands and pointed heads.
Vessels with painted anthropomorphic representations are very rare, being around 140 images of this kind known so far in the entire area of spread of the Cucuteni-Tripoli culture.
Based on the analysis of the shape of the vessel, the specific decoration and the context of the discovery, it can be admitted that the amphora from Chirileni belongs to the cult of the Mother Woman, the Great Goddess worshiped by the Eneolithic populations.
Romanian mentions in North-Western Russia in the 11th-16th centuries (preliminary research)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Analyzing a variety of documentary sources we attest an early propagation of Romanians within the territory of Novgorod principality starting with the 11th century until around 16th century. The existence of a big Romanian colony in the 16th century is indicative of a massive immigration from the earliest times. Their presence is illustrated by toponyms and hydronyms as well. The intense relations between the Romanians and the Russians in the less documented last period, is reflected by mixed Romanian-Russian terms, mixed names or other Romanian influences on the Russian language. This is a less researched topic in modern historiography.
The study has a significant scientific value for the history of Romanians which until the 16th century shows penury of documentary sources, especially referring to proper names, toponyms and hydronyms. The research is an addition to the history of medieval north-western Russia also.
Vlad D. Ghimpu
St. George’s Church in Chișinău (1819)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2007
Vlad D. Ghimpu
Paleo-Christian churches in the Romanian area in the early Middle Ages
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Vlad D. Ghimpu
Basarabi-Murfatlar and Corbii de Piatră – about the Crimean influence on the architecture of the Romanian churches of the early Middle Ages
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Vlad D. Ghimpu
Les contacts et les relations entre les Roumains et les Russes kiéviens aux IX-ième et X-ième siècles
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Vlad D. Ghimpu
What was the original structural plan of the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady in the Căpriana Monastery?)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
The exhibit represents a fragment from a unique amphora discovered in 1988 in a ceramic kiln from the Chirileni III settlement (Sîngerei district), attributed to the Cucuteni-Tripolie archaeological culture stage CII (5th-4th millennia BC)...
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.