Discovered in the 18th century, the mysterious dodecahedrons were found in various parts of the Roman Empire, but interestingly, most of them were found in Northern Europe and Britain. It is quite remarkable that none were found in the central regions of Rome, such as Italy.

These dodecahedrons are quite complex, with many round holes and protrusions. The fact that they are made of copper alloy and the long time and material required to make them makes them very valuable, which increases their interest.

 

The recent discovery of the dodecahedron near Norton Disney has caused great excitement in the archaeological community and the general public. It has attracted a great deal of attention both nationally and internationally.

Archaeologists and experts have put forward many different theories about the function of dodecahedrons. Some think they were used for religious purposes, others suggest that they were measuring instruments or even just stress-relieving toys. It is also thought that they were made to demonstrate the skill and mastery of a master craftsman.

There is no consistency in size, shape, material or workmanship among the dodecahedrons found so far. If these objects played an important role, one would expect to find contextual evidence for them. In this case, it is likely that these objects will remain a mystery and will continue to fascinate many people who study them.

In June 2023, the Norton Disney Archaeological Group (NDAG) organised a local excavation near the village of Norton Disney in Lincolnshire and carried out four trenches. In the fourth trench, a perfectly preserved dodecahedron was found in a large pit, the 33rd example found in Britain.

There were several elements that made this discovery special. Firstly, it was one of the largest specimens in Britain. Second, the object was extremely well preserved; archaeologists said, ‘Ours is in absolutely marvellous condition. It is completely undamaged and shows no signs of wear.’

Various analyses were carried out on the dodecahedron to obtain further clues. The elemental composition was analysed using handheld XRF (X-Ray fluorescence) analysis, and analysis by archaeometallurgist Gerry McDonnell showed that the object is mostly a mixture of copper alloy (75%), tin (7%) and lead (18%).

The Norton Disney dodecahedron measures approximately 8 cm in diameter and weighs 245 grams. It has also been scanned using a three-dimensional scanner in collaboration with the University of Lincoln and will be sent to Newcastle University for further scientific analysis later this year.

Pottery sherds found at the archaeological site indicate a history dating from the Iron Age to the Roman period, suggesting that the site was in continuous use for a long time.

A Roman villa excavated in 1935 is also located near the site. The skeletal remains found in this villa indicate that the site was used in the late Roman period and later served as a cemetery.

In 1989 a statuette of a Romano-British equestrian deity was discovered near the Roman villa, now in the British Museum. This discovery emphasises the cultural and religious importance of the area in Roman times.

As a result, there are still many unknowns about the archaeological site and the dodecahedron itself. The trench where the object was found could not be fully investigated in 2023 due to time and financial constraints, as it was discovered on the last day of excavation.

However, researchers will return to the site this June to re-excavate several trenches and fully open the pit where the dodecahedron was found. It is hoped this could provide a clearer understanding of exactly what the site was used for and why the mysterious dodecahedron was placed there.

 

Source: arkaeofili.com