#Exhibit of the Month

The 21 beads form part of a bronze hoard found in 2019 within a forested area close to the town of Nisporeni. Alongside the beads, the hoard included numerous bronze ornaments (2 Röschitz-Sanislău-type fibulae, 7 necklaces, 12 rings, 22 tubes, 23 bracelets, and approximately 80 appliqués), one coral bead and a pendant made from a wild animal's tooth. At present, the amber beads are preserved in the collections of the Muzeul Național de Istorie a Moldovei, while the remainder of the hoard is in the possession of a private collector.
The hoard was discovered accidentally in a pit about 50 cm deep. The objects in this hoard are of Western origin, with known parallels in archaeological complexes from Poland, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia, and, to a lesser extent, in Romania. The presence of this bronze hoard on the territory of the Republic of Moldova illustrates the cultural dynamics of the region during the Early Iron Age and a fundamental shift in the vector of cultural influences from east to west.

The amber bead strand comprises 16 whole beads and five fragmentary ones. They have an elongated biconical shape and vary in size. The beads are brown-reddish in color; their lengths range from 1.1 to 3.1 cm, widths from 0.6 to 1.4 cm, thicknesses from 0.6 to 1.1 cm, and the perforation diameter ranges between 0.2 and 0.3 cm.
Amber beads appear in several bronze hoards dated to the Late Bronze Age in the eastern half of Slovakia and in Transdanubian Hungary. Parallels are also known from the Cioclovina Cave in Romania. With the onset of the Iron Age, amber items disappear from the Carpathian Basin for approximately 300 years, reappearing alongside the arrival of Scythian elements.
The bronze hoard discovered at Nisporeni is dated to the HaA2-HaB1-2 interval (1050/1000 - 800/750 B.C.).

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Ana Grițco

"Carol Schmidt: Back in Time"

National Museum of History of Moldova, 2014 Bond Offices, 160 p. ISBN 978-9975-80-823-1

In a fascinating story that weaves past and present, this book explores the life and remarkable contributions of Carol Schmidt, a figure who played a pivotal role in the history of Chisinau in the first half of the 19th century.

Through thorough and documented research, the author brings to the fore the historical context of Chisinau from the mentioned period, illustrating the importance and influence that the city administration exercised during the life of Carol Schmidt.

Through the detailed analysis of Carol Schmidt's service form, readers are invited to discover more about the role and responsibilities he had in city administration, providing a clear insight into his activities and how he influenced contemporaries.

This section brings to the fore the profound impact that Carol Schmidt had on the history and development of Chisinau, highlighting his significant contributions to various aspects of the city's life, from infrastructure to culture and society.

Through unique documents, this part of the book offers a deeper look into the personal and family life of Carol Schmidt, completing the portrait of a man who not only influenced the history of his city, but was also strongly influenced by the family and social context in who lived.

"Carol Schmidt: Back in Time" is an engaging exploration of an important figure in the history of Chisinau, bringing to the fore both lesser-known aspects of her life and her lasting contributions to the development of the city and the community in which she lived.