Abstract:
Archaeological explorations carried out during the period from the mid of XX century
to the present time in the area of Codru Hills and Dniester Valley have revealed the presence of
settlements of Cucuteni A – Tripolie B1 period, seven of which were excavated and studied
(Ruseştii Noi I, Horodca X, Horodca Mare, Stolniceni-Cetate, Stolniceni-Vişina, Vadul lui
Vodă, Speia). From the chronological point of view, the oldest monuments are those that
yielded the implements similar to findings excavated in Ruseştii Noi I (Vadul lui Vodă, Speia). It
was suggethed that early settlements appeared on the backgound of the monuments of
Holercani I (Precucuteni III) type from the watershed of Dniester. However, recent discoveries
revealed a transitional chronological sequence from the level III of Târgu Frumos (jud. Iaşi,
România) to Ruseştii Noi I, which share many specific characters in pottery, small
anthropomorpic and zoomorphic sculpture, etc.
The second chronological group is represented by archaeological monuments that
yielded the implements similar to those from Horodca X (Horodca X, Horodca Mare,
Stolniceni-Cetate, Stolniceni-Vişina). The pottery complex is dominated by characteristics
typical for Cucuteni A3 - Cucuteni A4 combined with stylistical group which will be dominating
during the stage of Cucuteni A-B1. At the present moment it is not possible to affirm that the
above indicated chronolocical groups represent a local evolutionary process: the group of
monuments Precucuteni III (Mileştii Mici-Vatra Satului, Chişinău-Valea Morilor, Cărbuna I
ş.a.) – the group of Ruseştii Noi I type with corresponding similar monuments – the group of
Horodca X type. At the present state of knowledge the hypothesis on consecutive penetration of
population groups from the Prut watershade area to Codru Hills during Cucuteni A-Tripolie BI
is more plausible.