In order to analyze prehistoric pottery samples, the authors used a X ray dispersal spectral analyser, EDX type 900 HS (Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDX) spectrometry), of high sensitivity and resolution, to highlight the chemical composition of these artefacts. In the paper are presented the results of this experimental research, performed on the batch of ceramic samples from the archaeological site Feteşti-La Schit, Suceava County. In this paper, the authors present the measurements made on some Copper Age ceramics (Cucuteni A and Cucuteni B), using Vickers hardness test to determine the hardness of different types of archaeological ceramics, as physical and mechanical indicator of these artefacts. Porosity, along with other physicochemical and mechanical characteristics, is a feature that can be used in evaluating the quality of archaeological artefacts. The authors propose a number of high techniques for the analysis of this characteristic and present the results of the digital image analysis using specialized software.

archaeological ceramic --- porosity --- mechanical property --- prehistoric pottery --- spectral analysis --- chemical composition --- hardness --- spectroscopy

In this study we proposed to identify the defining features of Moldavian boyars, if they correspond with the realities of Europe at that time, or to what extent differ. In order to do this, we took as reference point the case of Neamţ boyars in the XV-th – XVII-th centuries seeking both to identify possible distinctive features of this socio-political categories, as well as those common to Moldavian space, but also in Europe.Following our approach, we found that the medieval Moldavian boyars, including Neamt, corresponds to the following characteristics: at legal standpoint - its members were free men; in social terms they were masters of villages, peasants and slaves (Gypsy or Tartars) and had the privilege offered by the rulers of Moldavia, as long as they served him faithfully. Betrayal, called „hiclenie”, lead to the loss of property and, where appropriate, the life of someone who was guilty, issue also available for boyars in Neamţ county.Politically speaking, many boyars (including those in Neamt) were co-opted in the leadership of the state, holding various positions, more or less important, depending on the confidence of the country rulers. From the cultural point of view, many boyars were scientists. Diacs and grammars were recruited from these boyars, in order to become Chancellery members. Following the tendencies of the Middle Age, some of the boyars were founders or donors to churches, such as the great governor Nestor Ureche.By its defining characteristics identified in this study, it can be concluded that nobility of Neamt county Moldavian boyars to rest perfectly integrated, there is no indication that it formed a distinct category among the latter.

Boyar --- Hiclenie --- Ocină --- Ruler’s Advice (Ruler’s Council) --- Vecin --- Voivode

L’étude ci-jointe est dédiée à la recherche biographique de l’écrivaine ukrainienne d’origine espagnole Carmen Alfonza Fernanda Estrella Natalena de Kastra Lacherda Medinachelli Fernandes de Kordova et Fidero, connue dans la littérature comme Natalena Koroleva. Le charme du néoromantisme jaillit de ses œuvres. Les fondements de ce charme se retrouvent dans son origine noble, sa passion pour les fouilles archéologiques et l’Egyptologie, sa soif pour l’aventure et les conditions difficiles de vie en émigration. L’apogée de son activité littéraire a été enregistré en 1920-1930, lorsque ses ouvrages majeurs étaient déjà publiés. Malheureusement, dans la biographie de N. Koroleva, il y a beaucoup de points blancs. Ces problèmes concernent justement l’étude ci-jointe.

Natalena Koroleva --- Ukrainian writer --- genealogy --- scientific biography

The root causes of World War II were generated from the consequences of the previous global conflagration that ended in 1918. The „unjust world” became a reason for discontent, mainly, on the part of Germany. After Hitler's government came to power, Germany was openly prepared for reconsideration of the Versailles Treaty, especially in terms of military status. Following the occupation of Czechoslovakia, Poland was next. However, Warsaw managed to sign an agreement with Great Britain and France in order to get help in the case of German aggression. Thus, Hitler proposed to the Soviet government to conclude a non-aggression pact and to divide the East Europe. Choosing from the system of collective security and the treaty with Germany, Stalin decided to negotiate with Germany. It happened on August 19, 1939. Three days later, German Foreign Minister signed the non-aggression pact; in fact, it was the Treaty of Moscow (also known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact) at the beginning of World War II. On September 17, 1939 the Soviet Union entered the War and took part in occupation of the European territories until 1941, when Hitler attacked the USSR.

Second World War --- Germany --- Poland --- Soviet Union --- Molotov-Ribbentrop Agreement --- totalitarianism --- Nazism --- Communism

In some historical approaches, the process of solution of Ruthenia question in the years 1944-1945 (which finally led to the transfer of this territory from the Czechoslovak state to the USSR) was developed in the Slovak territories too, and in a broad sense, it also influenced the “Ruthenian/ Ukrainian question” in Slovakia. The Mukatchevo manifest from the 26th of November 1944 has found an echo among the Ruthenian population in the Eastern Slovakia. Those inhabitants were inspired by the Movement for incorporation of the Nord-Eastern Slovakia to the USSR. However, their unifying tendency was not a consistent one and later, the Ukrainian National Council of Priasevcina (which supported this idea in the beginning) agreed the platform of the Kosice government program.

Ruthenian question --- Ukrainian --- annexation --- incorporation --- Slovakia --- USSR

Core issues addressed in this article are: the existing threats to address the interests of the US geopolitical and geostrategical, particularly in South-Eastern Europe; the resources available to the American State for the protection of those interests; main features (elements) geopolitical of Romania; importance for Romania's Alliance with US. Only states or groups of states that may threaten the economic interests of the U.S. military are originated from Eurasia: China, Russia, the Organization of Shanghai cooperation, the European Union. The main opponent of the U.S. in South-Eastern Europe is Russia. Geostrategical interests of Russia remains fundamentally the attempt to divide alliance NATO (in particular by providing the economic benefits of Germany and France) and isolate Eastern Europe; in this way, the US military presence in Europe would become problematic. Currently, the US has enough economic and military means in order to avoid this situation.Geopolitical and geostrategical problems of Romania are of two kinds: external and internal. Externally, Romania has some diplomatic disagreements with Ukraine. At the same time, Romania was not able to resolve in the manner of the former Federal Republic of Germany, a consequence of the Second World War: the unification with the Republic of Moldova, the State created artificially by former USSR after the Second World War. Internally, the main geopolitical problems of Romania are the following: underdevelopment and the absence of real economic competitiveness of industry and agriculture; the demographic decline, lowering the standard of living of population. In the absence of support of the USA for Romania, this country will increase the degree of economic dependence towards Russia.

USA --- Russia --- Romania --- South-Eastern Europe --- geopolitics --- geostrategy

During the nineteenth century, the need for the creation of a Bank of Moldavia signified a major goal in the development and the modernization of the principality, as well as in putting an end to the financial chaos generated by the lack of currency, which in turn led to the progressive ruin of the landowners’ class. Using an analytical method based on a diachronic approach and on a variety of sources, we attempted to concisely describe Grigore Alexandru Ghica’s ideas and actions related to this problem, both before and after his nomination as Hospodar.

Bank --- loan --- diplomacy --- Russia --- Prussia --- Nulandt --- Austria