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.
Some considerations on factors that generated mentality shifts of the landlords in Bessarabia under tsarist domination (1812-1817)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
In the given article is called into question the notion of mentality and several factors that have led to changes in the mentality of the nobility of Bessarabia after the annexation of the province in 1812 to the Russian Empire are examined.
As with the annexation of territory between the Prut and Dniester to the Russian Empire, the mentality of the natives, especially the Moldavian boyars, held a series of changes. One of the basic factors that influenced the evolution Bessarabian landlord’s mentality in the 19th century is linked to the new system of domination established in the province. Conditions of dominance include, in turn, a complex of mini-factors:
• After the annexation of Bessarabia to the Russian Empire the territory is torn from a particular socio-economic and political system and forcibly engaged in another system – the Russian, painful process that occurred and was felt by all social categories – including the boyars;
• People suffered extraordinary large losses from Russo-Turkish wars of the 19th century, passing through the country, but also the permanent stationing of Russian occupation army, aristocratic elite was destroyed, assimilated or marginalized.
• Gradually changes occur into the property system. Moldavian boyars had to strait, to sell some properties, to diminish its rights, to lose the privileges of another time, to limit their tastes, to obey and to recognize the new regime of domination;
• The affirmation of local boyars in the frame of Russian nobility (dvoreanstvo) happened quite difficult. They had to confirm not only the nobility, relatives, Boyar titles, but the right to land property they owned up to annexation; To preserve their rights and privileges the boyars had to learn Russian, to relate with new-comers, to make studies in educational institutions of Russia, to accept positions in county and regional institutions and, thus, to participate in promoting national-colonial policy of the Empire in newly annexed territory, which in from mental-emotional point of view influenced negatively the national spirit.
• Boyars lost former times economic control in the region, because the Russian imperial administration used all the revenue for own service and needs.
All these factors have brought to that after 1812 the nobility of Bessarabia was divided into two camps: Russophile less numerous, but strong with support from the Russian government and the Moldovan national conservative who opposed: did not learn Russian and respected the customs and old laws of the country. Namely the latter were those who kept the torch alight among Moldovans discontent, because in their hearts the more difficult was the suppression, the more progenitor blood throbbed, making a wall of resistance against the regime of Tsarist rule.
Valentin Tomuleț
Bessarabian bourgeoisie in modern age (Classification, characteristics, evolution)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Valentin Tomuleț
Mazili and ruptași (and other social categories) in the statistics of the 1817 census
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Cristina Gherasim
About changes in the mentality of the Bessarabian nobility during 1830-1840s
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Valentin Tomuleț
The numerical dynamic and the social structure of the population of Tabani village, in Hotin county, according to the fiscal censuses in the 1820s-1850s
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Cristina Gherasim
Aspects of teaching children of the Bessarabian nobility within the educational system of the Russian Empire
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2015
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.
31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
