Unele descoperiri monetare din cimitirul bisericii Adormirea Maicii Domnului de la Сăuşeni

• Published in: Tyragetia Vol. III; no. 1; pp. 323 - 330
• Main Authors: Bubulici, Valeriu, Tentiuc, Ion
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Romanian
• Published: National Museum of History of Moldova 2009; Muzeul Naţional de Istorie a Moldovei
• Subjects: Archaeology; Сăuşeni church; church cemetery; coin discoveries
• ISSN: 1857-0240; 2537-6330

In the summer of 2008 as part of the rescue excavations near the village Hârtopul Mare, Criuleni district, was investigated a flat grave done by inhumation from the 13th-14th centuries. The burial was discovered in the immediate vicinity of the place called by the local inhabitants „La Şanţ” where were attested a Getae fortress and a medieval settlement from the 11th-12th centuries.In a pit of a rectangular shape with rounded corners, at the depth of 0,5 m has been investigated the remains of an individual of 20-25 years old, east-north-east head oriented, laying on the back, with the legs and right hand stretched, the hand of the left arm placed on the basin bones. At the right temple was found a bronze earring question mark shaped, and between the bones of the left arm and the bones of the thorax had an iron handle with a flint piece. Under the left knee was discovered an iron arrow point, and near the right leg, under the knee – a battle axe and the remains of a closure with iron tag. The analysis of the funerary rite features and inventory places the grave in the chronological diapason of the 13th-14th centuries and attributes it to the late nomads. It finds analogies on the territory of the Republic of Moldova among the flat graves from Hansca-Limbari and Mateuţi-Şcoala nouă. The grave is part probably of a flat necropolis which’s presence near the fortress „La Şanţ” has been pointed out by the inhabitants of the village and by the researchers.In the years 2002 and 2004 were conducted rescue archaeological excavations in the courtyard of the Assumption Church from Căuşeni, where was investigated the cemetery of the local Christian community. 32 graves were discovered dated with the late medieval and pre-modern periods. In 14 funerary complexes were discovered coins. Their number in the graves varied from one piece to three. Most of the pieces were represented by silver coins, in other two cases (M 6/2004 and M12/2004) were found copper and bronze coins as well. The artifacts were found usually on the bones or in the region of the bones of the thorax. In two cases (M10/2004 and M18/2004) they were discovered around the arms (in the hand - ?) and in one case near the basin bones. Their demonetization (the presence of the hole) proves that in certain circumstances these objects turned up in the funerary complexes as pendants and were not part of the funerary rite.The coins contributed to the dating of the funerary complexes. The earliest graves date from the 16th century (M 2/2002, M 7/2002, M 16/2004, M 18/2004 and the grave from the tomb), while the latest – from the 19th century (M 7/2004).