Amphoras are massive vessels originating from the ancient Greek world, executed on the potter's wheel, in which Greek merchants, in the process of their trade with other territories and peoples, transported, in particular, Greek wine, olive oil, salted olives, paints, nuts, etc. The shape of the Greek commercial amphora, in the opinion of some researchers, vaguely recalls the female figure, having, probably, at the beginning, a sacred character. Among the main features of the amphorae are well-thought-out metric proportions. The full amphora, placed in a horizontal position, rested on the body and on the elongated foot in such a way that the upper part of the vessel and the high neck were permanently raised obliquely, so that the liquid would not spill. The sharp shape of the foot required special fixation, either on special supports, or the lower part of the body was buried in the ground or sand. The deep inner cavity of the leg did not allow the liquid in the vessel to become cloudy during the transport process, the sediments remaining stored inside the leg.
Among the dozens of city-states in ancient Greece, which practiced trade with the local populations of the Black Sea region (Euxine Bridge), there is also the city of Mende (Μένδη), located on the Kassandra arm (Κασσάνδρας) of the Halkidiki peninsula (Halkidiki - Χαλκιδική). It is considered that the foundation of the city of Mende took place in the century VIII BC. The main article of trade of this Greek polis was wine, considered of superior quality and even indicated by Hippocrates as a medicine in the treatment of certain diseases. Starting with the century 6th century BC, the city of Mende experienced economic growth, especially in the Circumpontian region, and in the V-IV BC Mendiot wine appears more and more frequently in the local markets of this region.
Even some barbarian tribes, according to the Greek tradition, often used wine amphorae in the funeral process, when they were placed, as an offering, in the graves, together with other objects, which were either brought as an offering to the gods, or were intended to serve the deceased in the afterlife.
Such a funerary complex was discovered by archaeologist Nicolae Chetraru in 1987 - the Scythian tumulus no. 45 from Dubăsari. The deceased was cremated, and three amphorae and a large bronze cauldron were placed in the grave. Among the amphorae (all belonging to Greek wine centers) was one from Mende, along with two others from Chios. Since the wines of Mende and Chios were considered expensive wines, as was the bronze cauldron, their presence in this mound was an indication of a privileged financial and social position of the person cremated here.
The Mende amphora from tomb 1 of mound 45 at Dubăsari is, at the moment, the only complete vessel from this center on the territory of the Republic. Moldova, although fragments of Mendiot amphorae have also been discovered in other archaeological sites in the country.
The vessel is made of a yellowish-brown paste with chewed sand and many particles of mica. The amphora has the following basic dimensions: height - 740 mm, depth - 610 mm, maximum diameter - 390 mm.
Établissements cucuteniens dans l’espace d’entre Prut et Dniestre (étape Cucuteni A- Tripolie BI). Aspects de l’histoire de la recherche
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Pour la mésopotamie d'entre Prut et Nistru on connait 99 points encadrées dans la prémiere phase de développement, l'étape Cucuteni A. De ce nombre, seulement 14 ont déjà été étudiés. Les premières investigations dans un établissement cucutenien dans l'interfluve Prut-Dniestr ont été organisée en 1893 à Şipeniț, Bucovine et ils continuent, avec quelques interruptions, jusqu'à nos jours.
Dans les stations où des fouilles considérables ont été déployés ont été identifiées des fortifications.
Il s'agit des restes d'établissements situées dans des lieus naturellement fortifiées, traces des logements enterées or construites sur la surface.
L'habitat cucutenien de l'étape A du territoire de la Moldavie, sous tous ses aspects, s'intègre parfaitement équilibré dans la complex Ariusd-Cucuteni-Tripolye, apportant une note personnelle et spécifique à cette grande civilisation.
Liste des illustrations:
Fig. 1. Carte d'établissements de l'étape Cucuteni A.
Fig. 2. Cuconeștii Vechi I. L'emplacement du site et les section d'investigation.
Fig. 3. Jora de Sus. L'emplacement du site et les section d'investigation.
Fig. 4. Brânzeni. L'emplacement du site et les section d'investigation.
Fig. 5. Druța I. L'emplacement du site et les section d'investigation.
Fig. 6. Putinești. L'emplacement du site.
Fig. 7. Putinești III. Plan d'organisation des habitations.
Stanislav Țerna, Maciej Dębiec, Andreea Vornicu-Țerna, Mariana Vasilache-Curoșu, Thomas Saile
Preliminary results of the archaeological investigations in the Neolithic and Copper Age site of Nicolaevca V during the 2016 excavation season
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Regina Uhl, Mariana Vasilache-Curoșu, Veaceslav Bicbaev, Mariana Sîrbu, Livia Sîrbu
Bericht über die archäologischen Arbeiten in Petreni, Republik Moldau
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Stanislav Țerna, Mariana Vasilache
Anthropomorphic fi gurines of the Cucuteni A stage from Duruitoarea Veche I (Râșcani District, Republic of Moldova)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică Chișinău, 2015
Mariana Vasilache
Cornelia Magda Lazarovici, Gheorghe Lazarovici, Arhitectura neoliticului și epocii cuprului din România. I. Neoliticul, II. Epoca cuprului, Iași: Editura Trinitas, 2006, Vol. I - 734 p. ISBN 978-973-7834-7; 2007, Vol. II - 524 p. ISBN 978-973-7834-74-4
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Ion Tentiuc, Mariana Vasilache
On the question of archaeological sites in Chișinău (Catalogue of archaeological sites)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Amphoras are massive vessels originating from the ancient Greek world, executed on the potter's wheel, in which Greek merchants, in the process of their trade with other territories and peoples, transported, in particular, Greek wine, olive oil, salted olives, paints, nuts, etc. The shape of the Greek commercial amphora, in the opinion of some researchers, vaguely recalls the female figure, having, probably, at the beginning, a sacred character. Among the main features of the amphorae are well-thought-out metric proportions...
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
