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A team of novice archaeologists has uncovered an ancient Roman artifact that has puzzled professionals for hundreds of years.
Volunteers from the small village of Norton Disney in Lincolnshire discovered a Roman dodecahedron, a 12-sided metal object, leaving modern archaeologists puzzled about its purpose.
The impressive discovery is currently being exhibited at a local museum and was recently highlighted on a BBC television program, Digging for Britain.
According to Richard Parker, the secretary of the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, they discovered an item about the size of a grapefruit in a trench they had dug at a site located 35 miles southeast of Sheffield. This occurred during a two-week excavation project.
“On the second to last day of the excavation, a dodecahedron was discovered in Trench Four,” Mr. Parker informed Live Science. “We were taken aback by its appearance. Despite not receiving many metal signals previously, it suddenly appeared.”
According to Mr. Parker, the team discovered the item in a field where individuals using metal detectors had previously uncovered Roman coins and brooches.
The group focused on Norton Disney’s history and archaeology.
There are approximately 32 known instances of dodecahedrons, either complete or fragmented, in ancient Roman settlements in Britain. With the recent discovery at Norton Disney, the total count is now 33.
The only known dodecahedron in the Midlands is in pristine condition without any damage and fully intact.
These items were created during the period of the first to third centuries AD. However, their function is still unknown as there is no record or depiction of dodecahedrons during that time.
There is speculation that they may have served as a tool for measuring, but the absence of any markings to support this idea raises doubts about the theory.
Some other proposed applications include utilizing them as playthings for children, a tool for knitting, or for ornamental reasons.
Some archaeologists believe that they served religious functions in certain regions, evidenced by their discovery in burial sites and the absence of documentation due to Roman laws restricting magic usage.
According to Mr. Parker, the team discovered the item in a field where other metal detectorists had previously uncovered Roman coins and brooches. A previous survey using geophysical methods had also indicated the presence of a buried pit at the location.
The object is thought to have been intentionally placed in a quarry pit approximately 1700 years ago, along with Roman pottery.
The group announced to The Independent that they intend to resume their excavations at the site this summer, which they initially started in 2023.
He mentioned their plans to revisit the location in the upcoming summer in order to investigate the reasons for its abandonment. They hope to uncover any clues about its intended purpose and function.
The group stated that superstition was prevalent in Roman society and was a daily occurrence. Their current working theory suggests a possible connection with local religious customs. However, further investigation is needed to confirm.
You can learn more about the organization and access their excavation fundraiser at this link.
Source: independent.co.uk
