Museum in Moldova preserves 6,000 years of Cucuteni–Tripolie culture

The Museum of History and Ethnography in Moldova's Călărași preserves remains of the Cucuteni–Tripolie culture discovered in 2018, including painted ceramics, biconical vessels, amphorae, anthropomorphic figurines, and flint tools.

These discoveries have transformed the museum into a center for research and education, and it will become part of the future cultural-tourist route, the Ceramics Route, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES.

“An archaeological discovery has special value for any museum, especially for a young one like ours, founded in 2014. In 2018, remains of the Cucuteni–Tripolie culture were identified on the territory of the city of Călărași, offering researchers and museum specialists the opportunity to study and rewrite local history. In a city that until a decade ago still retained a Soviet appearance and lacked European projects, these discoveries highlight the cultural and historical importance of Călărași in a European context, emphasizing the value of the Cucuteni–Tripolie heritage, one of the oldest European civilizations,” Mariana Iurcu told MOLDPRES.

The Museum of History and Ethnography in Călărași, which holds an archaeological heritage including Cucuteni vessels, ceramics from various periods, numismatic collections, and anthropomorphic figurines, will be included in the future cultural-tourist Ceramics Route developed by the National Tourism Office, Iurcu added.

“Our museum holds a valuable archaeological heritage, including Cucuteni vessels, ceramics from different periods, coins, and anthropomorphic figurines. We aim to continue expanding the Eneolithic ceramics collection and, if possible next year, to create a diorama illustrating daily life in Cucuteni settlements. This will help visitors—especially students and preschool children—better understand the lifestyle, crafts, and culture of Cucuteni–Tripolie, without being overwhelmed by scientific terminology or complex chronology. The museum will be part of the future Ceramics Route, and the inclusion of the Cucuteni–Tripolie culture on the UNESCO heritage list will strengthen the importance of this civilization in the European space. Visitors will thus enjoy not only an educational experience, but also an interactive and memorable one,” said Mariana Iurcu.

As reported by CE Report, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine are working together to include the Cucuteni–Tripolie culture on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In September 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Chișinău, through which the three countries committed to cooperation in preparing and promoting a joint nomination file for the Precucuteni–Ariușd–Cucuteni–Trypillia cultural complex.

The archaeological heritage of the Călărași district includes more than 50 sites, documenting periods from the Eneolithic and Bronze Age to Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. The museum thus serves not only as an exhibition space, but also as a research and educational center, bringing over six millennia of history closer to the local community and visitors. Mariana Iurcu and the museum staff have been recognized for their rigor, passion, and dedication in researching and promoting the Cucuteni–Tripolie heritage.