#Exhibit of the Month

This clay vessel was discovered in 1982 by archaeologist V. Sorochin during excavations of a burial mound (no. 1) located in the village of Speia, Dubăsari District. It originates from grave no. 5 and is dated to the 4th millennium BC, belonging to the Usatovo culture.
The vessel was found in a child's grave. The burial pit had an oval shape, and the deceased was laid in a crouched position (similar to the fetal posture), on the left side. A total of five vessels were uncovered in this grave: three near the back, one at the feet, and one in the pelvic area.
The cultural attribution of this funerary complex was determined based on the burial rite and grave goods. This culture is characterized by the specific construction of the burial pit, as well as the positioning and orientation of the deceased toward the east and northeast.

The vessel is shaped from clay mixed with finely crushed shell. Its walls curve gradually toward the top, with the widest diameter at the shoulder area. It has a short neck, a slightly flared rim, and a flat base. The surface is carefully polished, in some areas to a lustrous finish. The interior is reddish-brown, while the exterior is yellowish-brown with gray spots. The rim features groups of perforations, three of which are preserved in their original state. The diameter of the holes is 0.35 cm. The space between the groups of perforations is decorated with cord impressions. The transition from the neck to the shoulder is adorned with three horizontal lines made with cord, from which, in five places, three vertical lines descend, each 5 cm long, executed using the same technique. At the time of discovery, these lines were filled with a white paste. The space between the groups of lines is decorated at the top with short vertical lines (0.5 cm long), and in the center with a meander ornament made of two parallel lines impressed with cord. The base of the vessel retains the imprint of a textile.
Vessel dimensions: Height: 22 cm; Rim diameter: 15.7 cm; Maximum diameter: 22 cm; Base diameter: 10 cm.

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Chronological Axis

Palaeolithic Age

(500,000 years ago – 7,000 years ago)

The Palaeolithic Age is divided into three large periods: Lower Palaeolithic (500,000 – 100,000 years ago); Middle Palaeolithic (100,000 – 35,000 years ago); Upper Palaeolithic (35,000 – 10,000 years ago). At present relics of the Lower Palaeolithic are presented in the Museum by the collection of items found at about 20 sites, of which the grottoes of Duruitoarea Veche, Ofatinti, and Butesti are the most representative.

The Middle Palaeolithic, or the Mousterian period, is presented by about 60 sites situated in the grottoes and caves from Butesti, Buzdugeni, Trinca, etc., the material from which takes an important place in the collection and exhibition of the Museum [3].

Today there are known about 350 sites dated from the Upper Palaeolithic where tools made of flint, bone, and horn were discovered [5, 6]. It is necessary to mention ones from Brinzeni, Bobulesti, Ciuntu, Scoc, Gordinesti, Ciutulesti, and Rascov. At the site of Climauti dwellings constructed with the use of mammoth ivory were discovered. In the Upper Palaeolithic there were first created objects of art: pendants [2], anthropomorphic and zoomorphic statuettes [1, 4]. The Stone Age ends with the Mesolithic period (10,000 – 7,000 years ago).

1.Spearheads made of mammoth ivory