The artifact is a battle axe made from magmatic rock (diabase) of gray-brown color. It was accidentally discovered in 1966 within the territory of Aluniș village, Rîșcani district. Based on its morphological characteristics, the artifact can be attributed to the Catacomb culture (29th-22nd centuries BCE).
The axe features a massive, elongated naviform body with slightly pronounced shoulders, a short and narrow edge that is flat and circular in cross-section. The blade is slightly curved. The hole was drilled in the maximum width of the object. It is circular in shape with a diameter of 2.2 cm. The surface of the artifact is meticulously polished, worked with great care, and shows no signs of damage or chipping.
Dimensions: Length: 20.0 cm; Maximum width: 8.4 cm; Edge diameter: 5.0 cm; Blade width: 7.0 cm; Weight: 2.3 kg.
Stone battle axes are characteristic of the Catacomb culture communities and are most often found as grave goods, deposited in tombs. Their presence in funerary complexes suggests a multifaceted functionality: weapons, social symbols, and ritual objects. Initially used as weapons, the axes became social symbols for their owners, later acquiring votive significance when deposited in tombs to serve the deceased in the afterlife.
The social symbolic function of stone battle axes is indicated by the high-quality rocks used for their manufacture and the exceptionally meticulous craftsmanship. The large dimensions of the axe from Aluniș support this hypothesis and distinguish it from other examples.
The discovery of stone battle axes outside a funerary complex may indicate their votive deposition. It is difficult to imagine that these exceptionally well-crafted pieces, made from high-quality rocks transported over great distances, could have been abandoned or lost accidentally. It is far more likely that they were deposited for magical-religious purposes, a possibility that may also apply to the stone axe discovered at Aluniș.
Some samples of art of the Paleolithic period from Georgian Stone Age sites
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică Chișinău, 2015
Abstract
In this paper we discussed ancient art and its origin as well as some interesting samples from Georgian Stone Age sites. One of them is the earliest sample of jewelry discovered so far on the territory of Georgia and dates back to 22-21 thousand years BP. Besides there are other interesting samples, such as beads, tools in the form of a fi sh, adornments and so on. So, according to the Paleolithic art materials, Georgia can be characterized as one of the oldest places of origin and development of Paleolithic art in Europe.
List of illustrations: Fig. 1. Scribbled drawings from the Mgvimevi caves. Fig. 2. Sagvardzhile. A necklace of seashells. Fig. 3. Sagvardzhile. Bone pin and ornamented fl at beads of triangular shape. Fig. 4. Sagvardzhile. The fi gurine of a fi sh. Fig. 5. Gvardzhilas-Klde. “Leader’s Baton”. Fig. 6. Dzudzuana. Oval Pendant. Fig. 7. Dzudzuana. Ornamented bone pendant. Fig. 8. Dzudzuana. The figurine of “Venus”. Fig. 9. Okumi. Human sculptures. Fig. 10. Satsurbliya. Beads.
The artifact is a battle axe made from magmatic rock (diabase) of gray-brown color. It was accidentally discovered in 1966 within the territory of Aluniș village, Rîșcani district. Based on its morphological characteristics, the artifact can be attributed to the Catacomb culture (29th-22nd centuries BCE)...
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
