Cucuteni pottery

Cucuteni pottery is unique in Europe, having been unearthed in a hamlet near Iasi in the 1880s.

The Cucuteni civilization, one of the most intriguing prehistoric societies, older than Mesopotamia, left behind amazing remnants that may be discovered in hundreds of archaeological sites in Romania.

Cucuteni pottery are unique in Europe. The Cucuteni culture was widespread in Moldova, the north-east of Muntenia, the south-east of Transylvania, and Basarabia, and was distinguished by high-quality pottery that were lavishly and variedly decorated.

The spiral decoration dominates Cucuteni pottery, with countless forms and combinations. Female statues with flat torsos adorned with geometric designs were also discovered. The spiral theme was not as prominent as in the decorative motifs, but the human silhouette began to appear inside the artwork. The human body was shown frontally, in two dimensions, and simplified using geometric shapes such as triangles, circles, and parallel lines. Among the various jars on display are miniature figures of the female body, which were possibly deities representing fertility and prosperity and were likewise painted with the spiral design and the three distinct colours.

Cucuteni pottery is a source of inspiration for international fashion firms. After 7,000 years, the captivating lines continue to captivate.

Even in our nation, there is interest in this little-known civilization. For example, the exhibition "Cucuteni culture - recovered values of European prehistory," which was shown at the Bucharest Municipal institution in 2013, attracted more than 50,000 people in one month, more than the institution receives in a whole year.

Cucuteni vases and magnificently sculpted painted ceramic figurines, which are older than the Egyptian pyramids, have the potential to become a national brand, according to Dr Romeo Dumitrescu, a Romanian who returned from Canada to fund study in the topic.

If you intend on touring Romania and you are passionate in pottery culture, it is a ceramic section at the History museum of Moldavia, and believe me you don't want to miss out on the Cucuteni cultural exhibition, which is well worth viewing.