Two new hoards and several solitary finds of metal items of the Bronze Age - Early Hallstatt periods in the territory of Republic of Moldova

The article publishes two new hoards and several solitary finds of bronze items from the Prut-Dniester interfluve. These finds can be dated the late Bronze Age and Early Hallstatt periods and relate to the Sabatinovka and Noua cultures, as well as to different early Hallstatt groups. Of special interest is the hoard from Brănești containing some types of items which until now were not known on the territories to the west from the Dniester. Also, remarkable is the structure of these two hoards, which may indicate a votive character of their deposition.

List of illustrations:

Fig. 1. Location of the hoards and solitary finds: 1 - Dămășcani; 2 - Şaptebani; 3 - Telenești; 4 - Lupa-Recea; 5 - Seliște; 6 - Brănești; 7 - Hîncești; 8 - Costești; 9 - Lipoveni; 10 - Soroca district; 11 - Cantemir district; 12 - Rezeni.

Fig. 2. Solitary finds from the Prut-Dniester interfluve: 1 - Hâncești; 2, 6, 9, 11 - Republic of Moldova, exact location unknown; 3 - Telenești; 4 - Seliște; 5 - Dămășcani; 7 - Şaptebani; 8 - Lupa-Recea; 10 - Costești; 12 - Cantemir district; 13 - Soroca district; 14 - Rezeni.

Fig. 3. Hoard from Lipoveni.

Fig. 4. The hoard from Brănești. Drawings.

Fig. 5. The hoard from Brănești. Photographs.

Fig. 6. Distribution of analogies for some items from the Brănești hoard in the Northern Pontic area: a-c - socketed axes (a. hoards, b. casting moulds, c. solitary finds); d-f - spears of Keliberda type (d. hoards, e. casting moulds, f. solitary finds). 1 - Brănești; 2 - Kremenchug; 3 - Kapulovka; 4 - Crimea; 5 - Zlatopol'; 6 - Laski; 7 - Volgograd museum; 8 - Dnepropetrovsk region; 9 - Loboikovka; 10 - Kabakovo; 11 - Soldatovo; 12 - Keliberda; 13 - Leopol'; 14 - Ivan'kovichi; 15 - Gogolev; 16 - Rep'evka; 17 - Karmanovo (after: Дергачев 2011; Клочко 2006; Ушурелу 2010; Шарафутдинова 1982; Bočkarev, Leskov 1980; Leskov 1981).