Bronze cauldrons of the Scythian time are rare in the Northern Black Sea region, especially on its western borders. Therefore, those few items found on the territory of the Republic of Moldova occupy a worthy place in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova (NMHM). In particular, in the archaeological exhibition, two bronze cauldrons are displayed, discovered near the village of Nicolscoe in 1988 in burial mounds no. 14 and 15. In addition, in 2020, two bronze cauldrons without any accompanying documents were found in the collection of NMHM; however, they were visually identified as coming from various excavations in the Low Dniester region, such as burial mound no. 45 near Dubăsari and burial mound no. 1 near the Răscăieții Noi village.
The object presented as the exhibit of the month is a little-known find discovered in 1979 in barrow 1 near the village of Răscăieții Noi in the Ștefan Vodă district. In addition to its outstanding size (about 10 m high), this mound is known for discovering a cast bronze finial in the Scythian animal style on its surface in 1953. However, by the beginning of excavations, the locals had damaged part of the mound and a Scythian cast bronze cauldron was found near it. The cauldron was seriously damaged by mechanical impact, as a result of which the rim was deformed, and the walls, with one preserved vertical handle, were bent inwards. Fragments in the upper part of the body and one handle have been lost. The total reconstructed height of the cauldron is 24 cm (excluding the handles), the reconstructed diameter of the hemispherical cauldron is 30 cm, and the weight is 6.5 kg. In 2020, data on the chemical composition of the bronze cauldron alloy were obtained, revealing that it was cast from an alloy of almost 95 per cent copper. Unfortunately, due to the loss of information on the context of the discovery of the cauldron at Răscăieții Noi, it is impossible to link its discovery with one or another Scythian burial of the barrow. Moreover, the grave goods of other Scythian burials of Barrow 1 do not allow them to date below the 4th century BC. However, the cauldron with vertical handles from Răscăieții Noi most likely belongs earlier. This may be indicated by a bronze finial from the first half of the 5th century BC, which was found on this barrow in 1953. In addition, burial 7 from the nearest excavated barrow 2 at Răscăieții Noi, containing a plaque depicting a rolled predator (a copy of which is also on display at the NMHM), belongs to the mid- 5th century BC. Thus, there is a high probability that the cauldron from Barrow 1 at Răscăieții Noi is associated with the late Middle Scythian period or the mid-5th century BC.
Scythian bronze cauldrons in the west area are concentrated in three main regions: Bukovina-Podolia, the Lower Danube, and the Lower Dniester. Some Scythian cauldrons have no reliable archaeological context. Nevertheless, in combination with the same "stray" finds like the Scythian statues, the finds of Scythian cauldrons mark the Scythian presence, most likely not earlier than the late 6th century or even the turn of the 6th-5th centuries BC. The cauldrons first appeared in Bukovina, where they have been known since the middle of the 7th century BC. Bronze cauldrons (with their carriers) entered the steppe region 150-200 years later, and the "military" burials that appeared in the western steppe regions were no earlier than the middle of the 5th century BC. Most burials with cauldrons (and, apparently, the stray finds) are dated back to the second half of the 5th century BC. Then, in the early 4th century BC, their quantity was reduced, and after the first quarter of the 4th century BC, they completely disappeared from the cultural practice of the population of the steppes of the North-Western Black Sea region.
West- European books in Bessarabia: ways of distribution and government oversight (1812-1862)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
In addressing the issue of the circulation of West-European books in Bessarabia we analyzed especially archival sources, mainly the Fund 2 - The Office of the Governor of Bessarabia, of the National Archive of Republic of Moldova, which contains relevant information on ways of distribution of West-European literature and governmental measures adopted in order to prevent the public access to the works which violated the Russian law of censorship.
The cases we review in the article prove the fact that French, German or English literature was insufficiently distributed in the Russian Empire, and that's why Romanian Principalities, or Hapsburg Empire were an attractive source of purchasing it. From the analysis of the titles filled in the customs-blanks that were sent to Censorship Committee for Foreign Books in Sankt Petersburg, we noticed that the most West-European books reaching Bessarabia were literary and encyclopedic writings that were brought for the purpose of recreational reading and/ or the completing of personal libraries. But there were also cases when West-European books were brought for scientific and professional purposes.
In conclusion, we can say that West-European books circulated in Bessarabia due to predilection of local society for the French and German literature. Of course in addition to these arguments, it is to be reminded that south- ern Bessarabia was colonized by Germans, Swiss, Polish, Bulgarians, etc., something which definitely generated greater demand for this kind of literature. Being a border province Bessarabia had multiple ways of penetrations of western writings, either by terrestrial ways, from the Habsburg Empire or Romanian Principalities, or by sea - from the rest of Europe. Also very close to Bessarabia there was situated the city port of Odessa, a cosmopolitan center of the Russian Empire's international trade on the Black Sea. However, we shall mention that the Russian government control, meant to prevent the intrusion of „harmful ideas", limited to a large extent the circulation of West-European books in Bessarabia.
Andrei Emilciuc
The role of land transport in Bessarabian commerce (1812-1853)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2007
Andrei Emilciuc
Entrepreneurial transhumance in Bessarabia (1812-1853)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Andrei Emilciuc
Comparative evolution of the customs system in Bessarabia and Romania (1859-1914)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XVI [XXXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Andrei Emilciuc
Export of livestock from Bessarabia to the Habsburg Empire (1812-1861)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XV [XXX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Andrei Emilciuc
Representatives of Bessarabia at commodity exhibitions in the Russian Empire and in Western Europe (1829-1869)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIV [XXIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Bronze cauldrons of the Scythian time are rare in the Northern Black Sea region, especially on its western borders. Therefore, those few items found on the territory of the Republic of Moldova occupy a worthy place in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova (NMHM)...
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.