The National Museum of History and Archeology mounted an exhibition of archeological vestiges discovered on the Sarateni-Soroca road during works to rehabilitate the road. The discoveries include a settlement from the fifth millennium before Christ and tumuli from the Bronze Age. Among the exhibits are different artifacts such as prehistoric tools and ornaments, restored clay dishes and pictures taken during the archeological excavations, IPN reports.
Minister of Culture Monica Babuc thanked the U.S. Embassy for financing the archeological excavations and the restoration works. “The involvement of the U.S. Embassy and the Millennium Challenge Corporation is a true contribution to promoting the cultural values and heritage outside the country,” she stated.
The minister encouraged the foreign investors to invest in Moldova’s heritage. According to her, these vestiges can become attractions for foreign tourists who will find in Moldova not only beautiful landscapes, but also serious researchers, great writers and talented painters.
U.S. Ambassador to Moldova William H. Moser said the discovery, research and safeguarding of the archeological vestiges were possible because the Sarateni-Soroca road was rehabilitated in full compliance with the European and international standards on the quality of construction works and on heritage protection.
The diplomat stated that he was surprised when he found out about the discovery. “I’m glad that we today have an exhibition of archeological objects showing that Moldova is indeed part of the European heritage. “It’s normal to find between the Prut and Nistru Rivers settlements that are thousands of years old, while in this case a settlement that is 7,000 years old,” said William Moser.
“This is the first safeguarding research since the proclamation of Moldova’s independence,” Vlad Vornic, director of the National Archeology Agency, has told IPN. “We have a nice example here, when the Millennium Challenge Corporation understood the value of these sites and fully respected the law on the protection of the archeological heritage.”
The vestiges were found during works to rehabilitate the Sarateni-Soroca road that are financed by the Millennium Challenge Account Moldova. The exhibition was mounted within the European Heritage Days that are held between September 22 and 27. The exhibit closes on September 27.
