The Zoomorphic Figurine of Luncani / The History of Romania in One Object

The next episode of our millennial saga takes us back to prehistoric times through a beautiful object that offers significant clues to the understanding of the mysterious Celtic populations that once inhabited the territory of today's Romania. The Wild Boar of Luncani, Cluj county, is an outstanding piece that illustrates a little known, yet sophisticated culture. Text and video presentation by historian and curator Luca-Paul Pupeză of The National Museum of Transylvanian History in Cluj-Napoca. Film concept by Geanina Simion and Dragoș Popa.

Watch and read on our FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE and WEBSITE from Monday, November 16, 2 p.m. EDT (or anytime later).

Luca-Paul Pupeză has a BA and MA in History (2001 and 2002) and a PhD in Humanities (2006) from the Babeş-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. Since 2007 he has been a curator at the National Museum of Transylvanian History. He was a fellow of the Universita di Benni culturali Lecce, Italy (2001-2002), attended post-doctoral studies at the Babeş-Bolyai University and benefited from a training at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris (2011-2012). Dr. Pupeză is an archaeologist, curator, researcher of the ancient civilization and expert in movable cultural heritage (with a specialization in the Iron Age). The researched over 28 archaeological sites among which: Cluj-Napoca - Polus Center (prehistory), Grădiştea de Munte – Sarmizegetusa Regia, Costeşti – Blidaru, Moigrad – Porolissum, Covasna – Cetatea Zânelor (the Dacian period), Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, Alba Iulia – Apulum, Petronell – Carnuntum (the Roman period) and Luna (the period of migrations). The is the author of works such as The Dark Age of Dacia, The Bronze Matrix of Sarmizegetusa Regia (co-author), Covasna – Cetatea Zânelor (co-author). The took part in numerous national and international conferences and research projects and is the author of many articles, catalogues and archaeological reports.

Our online series THE HISTORY OF ROMANIA IN ONE OBJECT, developed in partnership with some of the most important history museums in the country, evokes decisive epochs in Romania's past starting from artifacts or vestiges with powerful symbolic, representative value.