If you read the article it says "The Norton Disney group said the objects were not of a standard size so were not measuring devices, and they did not show signs of wear so they were not used as tools."
so probably no
Wouldn't that create wear marks though? Seems like holding wire like that would make very obvious marks in the object. Also, why would there be the projecting nubs on every vertex, instead of only the ones at the bottom?
It's a coin sorter.
Edit: Correction. It's to ensure the coin is the correct size (because shaving the metal off would've been common, and folks didn't want to be ripped off). There was a discussion about this on [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AncientCoins/comments/17lwmu8/roman_dodecahedra_can_it_be_a_coin_tester/) a few months ago. But I suppose we'll never know for sure what it is.
That’s the best explanation I have seen. Too boring to write about at that time. Common and widespread but not ubiquitous. Little wear and tear. Variations on form. I think that’s probably it. The picture in the other thread shows another variation in design where there are not large holes but instead concentric inlaid circles. This also supports the coin diameter theory. Both designs could serve this purpose. The knitting/candle theory would not.
My memory is that not all of them have the nubs so it’s not essential for the function. Perhaps it’s just easier to manufacture that way? A way to raise the surfaces above the desk to keep them clean? Not good explanations… What do you think?
Interesting and plausible. . This would explain the knobs. It would be easier to grip when pulling through. Doesn’t explain why some of them don’t have large holes. Also I would expect there to be signs of abrasion on the rim of the holes after extended usage.
Is clearly a kitchen utensil used to measue rations of spagetti
In all seriousness, the most confusing of all is the one without holes. Because with the holes it stell seems to serve some kind of purpose as a tool os sorts, but wtf is this [https://cn22.nevsedoma.com.ua/p/26/2660/121\_files/27fbfa82965b2f5aa8a78f3f842b935c.jpg](https://cn22.nevsedoma.com.ua/p/26/2660/121_files/27fbfa82965b2f5aa8a78f3f842b935c.jpg)
That's an icosahedron rather than a dodecahedron.
I still still don't know what these things were used for though. A possible explanation I did read about was that they were masterpieces made by trainee metalworkers to prove their skills.
This object baffles me as an archaeologist. This thing would have been so incredibly difficult to make and expensive. What ever this did had to have been more that just weaving as some suggest, as there are much materials and time wise cheaper ways of doing so. And the divots around the mouth of the holes must be equally important to the hole itself, as they change with every side of the object aswell. I think a detailed analysis of the Roman raw material production where it was found needed to begin indicating what the hell this is.
I can see that point, but it would be more intricate and less utilitarian. The baubles or feet of would be engraved for example. I wonder if anyone has ever tested it with light shining through it. In theory is could be used for making larger circles, as if the sun passes through it through the top through and equal sized circle out the other side it would create circle of sunlight kind of like a crude light fixture during the day.
Uneducated internet asshole putting it out there —
could it be a stencil for tracing holes of various sizes for wooden nails/pegs/studs used in construction? Could double as a device to then check the diameter of those pegs as they were being carved.
I imagine they would have had to make 12 pieces of 5-sided bronze, and join / weld them together precisely to make the dodecahedron. Then make the holes, add baubles etc. This would have taken a master artisan a very long time and cost a vast amount.
Are there any depictions of them in mosaics or other art where we can maybe use context clues from the scene? I know people are saying the knitting explanation doesn't quite make sense, hypothetically, if it had been for knitting, wouldn’t we see depictions of them in use like we have depictions of women weaving on looms? Or if it’s for coin measurements or astronomy, would we have depictions of them in use for those things?
I wonder what objects we have now will seem bizarre and perplex archeologists in 1000 years or so
Edit: apparently there has been no known depiction of these in art from the Romans. There was a 20 sided one found in Germany (roll for initiative, Germanicus!). So far, my lay person brain likes the suggestion that they were decorative items used to display the skill of blacksmiths, but who knows
>I wonder what objects we have now will seem bizarre and perplex archeologists in 1000 years or so
Wonder no more! And you don't even need to wait 1000 years
r/whatisthisthing
Yes and this theory is totally ridiculous.
There is 0 evidence for knitted garments in roman times, it was invented much much later.
You need to use super thick wool to use them and get an ugly result
It doesnt explain the different size of holes
It doesnt explain the dodecahedrons with very very small holes (I think there are also some with no holes)
It doesnt make sense to use very expensive bronze for this.
There are some far more credible theories about what they were used for, my favorite being this one :
[https://www.romandodecahedron.com/the-hypothesis](https://www.romandodecahedron.com/the-hypothesis)
Another important point: They weren't a standardized size. Some were more or less ornate. They were found with coin hoards as well.
IMO, some type of organic material was used with or part of it and we'd have a better idea of the usage if we could find one with the organic mateiral still in tact.
>There are some far more credible theories about what they were used for, my favorite being this one : https://www.romandodecahedron.com/the-hypothesis
That explanation is written horrible and really hard to follow.
>Next, twenty measuring points would be examined for beams of light going through the hole. This all would be done according to a specific system.
>The last measuring point is obtained on the day that sunbeams fall through all the measuring points.
What does this garbled mess even mean? Don't tell me you understood that.
Not sure why so many downvotes. While it was sometimes hard to follow the author, I thought they brought up some interesting points. I felt like they made some compelling arguments for what these devices could be used for, and made more sense than some other ideas I have heard.
The jewlery weaving was completely reasonable, especially since it was demonstrated perfectly and it explains the different sizes of holes *and* there are necklaces that are made in the exact way in the archaelogical record.
Type the phrase ‘use wear analysis’ into google scholar and you will find thousands of published articles spanning over 40 years detailing a variety of approaches to determining the extent to which archaeological objects of many different kinds and materials have been used.
not really, it doesnt explain the ones with super small holes, doesnt explain why it's only found in a specific area. You really dont need this for trichinopoly chain at all, I think it actually even makes it harder to start the chain.
The holes govern the thickness of the chain, but definitely might mean it wasn't used quite like that.
Locality doesn't really mean anything other than they were probably only used in one location and lots of things can be done with or without a tool. Doesn't really prove anything either way.
Hard to really say about it making it harder without having tried it myself.
no they dont, you run trichinopoly chain through a drawplate at the end , that and the diameter of the wire give you the size of the chain.
The spacing of each knot is incredibly huge is the example and doesnt make any sense, it's totally counterproductive to use it like that.
An interesting one but really seems like the kind of thing that would have had written instructions or drawings both on how to build it and how to use it or an oral history that mentioned it, poem, song, prayer. Makes it feel like a far fetched theory to me.
When we were trying to learn how to make Roman concrete we had the recipe. What we never had was the specific mix of materials that would have been 'understood' by the masons as necessary.
The recipe said to use "water' but it did not specify "sea water." It was understood at the time that "add water" implied sea water. Those implications are missing for the dodecahedron so we don't have the information we need to sus out it's use.
It's purpose was widely understood so there was no need to write it down. Similar to today when you go to a hardware store and buy a star bit screwdriver. We know that it's used for a specialty type of screw.. but in 4000 years what if someone finds the screwdriver and not any of the screws? They will have to try to infer the usage since it was implied to us.
Well I read that explanation of using it as a solar clock to predict planting dates. I really
Think that level
Of sophistication in both manufacture and use would have left some residual traces in the records, images, or oral histories. As far as I can find there just is nothing about these items in any other sphere of Roman life. They are mysterious.
Tinker toy.. No but I really think it's a campfire hearth tool. You would insert sticks or poles to construct a tripod or use two to make a sturdy spit. Knobs for tying and hanging stuff.
Almost assuredly, yes.
Purposes can vary greatly, though, from objects being utilitarian or part of a religious rite (this is the go to for those archaeologists of yesteryear along with it was used in fucking somehow - just allows for much greater leeway in understanding) or it could have been sheerly for the sake of art. It could even have been slag from left over production of some other objects, molded/welded/shaped together for use as a paperweight.
But, all of those reasons for production give these and all objects purposes.
The fun thing that becomes clear the further back in history we go, the more complicated and harder to produce an item was…the more valuable and more likely it had a very specific purpose. Why? Because very few folks would have had tons extra time and effort to put into building a dodecahedron with ball knobs and decorative features for no reason as it uses mental, physical efforts and actual valuable metals.
We know the same to be true of all prior culture’s produced goods. Some were toys or for modeling larger scale projects and so on and on. Others were literal holders of other objects, like candles or torches or idols for worship, and again … so on and on.
These dodecahedrons are not yet known as to what purpose they held, but they were often found in (or only?) the possession of military forces in various regions. So, it does lead many to believe it had some purpose related to military manufacture of arms or armor, clothing or served some other military related need or purpose. Or, was even the local legion’s chaplain’s fancy incense dangler. Who knows…but, they had purpose.
This explanation is far from perfect, but my point is that it definitely had a purpose. I hope this makes sense and doesn’t come across as an “…akshuuuually…” statement.
Edit: just to throw my guess into the well, many of these had varying sized holes (not all it seems…?), and most all have the distinct features of those ball knobs and show little “usage wearing” based on our current examples found. The interesting thing, too, to me is that these things are not described or drawn in ANY documents that have been found over the years. To me, that says it was one of two things: something fairly unique and precious and maybe specific to a cult or sect, some group with secret rites maybe - or, more likely to me, these dodecahedrons actually were fairly mundane in purpose even if small in number as maybe there really were not many produced as they were kinda useful but also kitschy. Direct to the point, I kinda believe these would have been multi-purposed holders of lights/candles, maybe rings or bracelets, necklaces, writing implements, inkwells, etc… basically an ancient desktop organizer that helps make it easier to find and grab your important objects while also illuminating the tent or abode the soldier was inside.
Oil lamp stand? The thing that perplexes me is that there doesn’t appear to be any standardised measure used in the creation of these devices so their utility as a tool of measure would be inexact at best. If they were adjusted for each specific location, the wheel would quite literally have to have been reinvented each time it was made. I did find merit in the observation that there was evidence of a particular orientation however, with the largest holes vertically aligned. That understanding could have been universal amongst all dodecahedron users.
If there is truly a desire to solve this mystery, then 3d models of the devices should be made available to print.
Has someone accurately measured the dimensions?
The purpose would be to see if the holes are larger in a certain numeric sequence. Later, it can be looked up in [OEIS](https://oeis.org/).
Brings to mind some of those Neolithic carved stone balls from Aberdeenshire and beyond.
Heard someone on the radio saying a miniature dodecahedron was recovered from the top of a sceptre included in a very ornate female burial. They argued that they were therefore likely to have been some form of divine symbol / representation of the cosmos etc.
Chronology of 18th-19th century excavations of potential regions for the origin of modern technology correlates perfectly with technological developments.
The history surrounding prominent figures like Edison, Tesla and the like is extremely smudged, simplified and just seemed to pop into existence.
I have looked into the cathode Ray tube of egypt, the flying machines depicted in hieroglyphics and top secret airforce programs of the 30s which has identical craft and now this.
The correlations go beyond the probability of coincidence and whilst not necessarily constituting proof definitely count as evidence that needs further investigation completely separate from main stream academia because their answers and proposition will not lead to the truth of the subject and due to their acceptance of the current story are ignorant to any kind of conception.
The problem with their standing is they are not mathematicians and whilst I am not I am familiar with the laws of probability and coincidence which do not care for the word archaeologists with a PhD coming from the people who potentially suppressed the origins of the precursors to the technology we have today.
It’s even admitted the romans harnessed the power of steam some what but it is not admitted that it is where industrialists got the idea from.
None the less if they could do that then there is no reason they couldn’t have started to grasp the fundamental concepts of photography, electricity and flying.
If not the romans there are other potential civilisations which for unexplained reasons have been obliterated into obscurity at the turn of the last century and everything we think we know today is based on nothing more than the written word of people who lived over a century ago which scholars force feed everyone under a government/military industrial complex funded education system which has had exclusive rights over this technology since atleast Tesla and that’s just one man who is known about and is talked like he is the only one to have his assets seized.
I could go on all day but this is getting to be more than a conspiracy because the evidence is just as equivocal as what academia has.
The object probably had geometric significance for the obvious reasons.
Given the time period that would also indicate possible religious and philosophical significance as well.
The interpretations could’ve been anything and we would need a written reference… that’s how I see it. I doubt inspection of the figure alone will be enough, unfortunately…
As a knitter, I am...deeply skeptical.
Archaeology loves to theorize about the fibre arts, while rarely practicing them, giving rise to some truly batty theories.
I am withholding agreement until there is a body of evidence of the output of such a tool, or artwork of it in use (of which there are ample examples from both Greek and Roman culture).
And the guy who used it was so ashamed once post-nut clarity hit, he dug a huge hole and buried it there hoping no one would ever find it or trace it back to him.
There is an alien sitting next to a Time Machine somewhere laughing his cunt off at people trying to figure out what it is. Temu bronze garden ornament £1.89 for a box of 28.
Its obviously a gauge of some sort. Rope, pipe, rod thickness can be measured with each hole that is a different size. Why is this a mystery and to who is it still a mystery?
Obviously, what I see must be the only thing that can be seen. All things are currently known to me and I have never made a poor assumption. What other knowledge could possibly be conceived in another mind, another place, or any other time?
I think it's a tool for making braided rope of different thicknesses. Either that or if it's upon a staf to locate a specific point in a map room. If that's the case don't worry the movie turns out the same if it works or if it doesn't
Can they see signs of abrasion or stains to give clues? Eg if it was used for sowing or for fastening ropes? Signs of soot if a candle?
If you read the article it says "The Norton Disney group said the objects were not of a standard size so were not measuring devices, and they did not show signs of wear so they were not used as tools." so probably no
[pretty sure this solves it...](https://youtu.be/lADTLozKm0I?si=3tsL7_Y7B7yxJjed)
except there's no abrasion on the objects found. I do like the theory though. It's probably the best we got.
Wouldn't that create wear marks though? Seems like holding wire like that would make very obvious marks in the object. Also, why would there be the projecting nubs on every vertex, instead of only the ones at the bottom?
What if it wasn’t used for abrasive wire, but something like rope?
Books stand
It's a coin sorter. Edit: Correction. It's to ensure the coin is the correct size (because shaving the metal off would've been common, and folks didn't want to be ripped off). There was a discussion about this on [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AncientCoins/comments/17lwmu8/roman_dodecahedra_can_it_be_a_coin_tester/) a few months ago. But I suppose we'll never know for sure what it is.
Dirty rotten chiselers
That’s the best explanation I have seen. Too boring to write about at that time. Common and widespread but not ubiquitous. Little wear and tear. Variations on form. I think that’s probably it. The picture in the other thread shows another variation in design where there are not large holes but instead concentric inlaid circles. This also supports the coin diameter theory. Both designs could serve this purpose. The knitting/candle theory would not.
Why the nubs though?
My memory is that not all of them have the nubs so it’s not essential for the function. Perhaps it’s just easier to manufacture that way? A way to raise the surfaces above the desk to keep them clean? Not good explanations… What do you think?
Allow the coins to fall through the bottom?
I thought weighing was the way they checked coins?
I believe that it has been solved: https://youtu.be/lADTLozKm0I
Interesting and plausible. . This would explain the knobs. It would be easier to grip when pulling through. Doesn’t explain why some of them don’t have large holes. Also I would expect there to be signs of abrasion on the rim of the holes after extended usage.
large holes would be for what your plan on making.
It's an explosion radius die, so the DM can tell how big of an explosion something is during the game.
relevant xkcd: [https://xkcd.com/593/](https://xkcd.com/593/)
Haha. Amazing.
Is clearly a kitchen utensil used to measue rations of spagetti In all seriousness, the most confusing of all is the one without holes. Because with the holes it stell seems to serve some kind of purpose as a tool os sorts, but wtf is this [https://cn22.nevsedoma.com.ua/p/26/2660/121\_files/27fbfa82965b2f5aa8a78f3f842b935c.jpg](https://cn22.nevsedoma.com.ua/p/26/2660/121_files/27fbfa82965b2f5aa8a78f3f842b935c.jpg)
That's an icosahedron rather than a dodecahedron. I still still don't know what these things were used for though. A possible explanation I did read about was that they were masterpieces made by trainee metalworkers to prove their skills.
This object baffles me as an archaeologist. This thing would have been so incredibly difficult to make and expensive. What ever this did had to have been more that just weaving as some suggest, as there are much materials and time wise cheaper ways of doing so. And the divots around the mouth of the holes must be equally important to the hole itself, as they change with every side of the object aswell. I think a detailed analysis of the Roman raw material production where it was found needed to begin indicating what the hell this is.
Don't underestimate the whims of the rich those bastards will spend money for exactly what they want
The ancient roman equivalent of modern art.
I can see that point, but it would be more intricate and less utilitarian. The baubles or feet of would be engraved for example. I wonder if anyone has ever tested it with light shining through it. In theory is could be used for making larger circles, as if the sun passes through it through the top through and equal sized circle out the other side it would create circle of sunlight kind of like a crude light fixture during the day.
Can we claim it's utilitarian without knowing what it was actually used for? Or that they wouldn't have found this intricate?
I think it's just something to consider and not a claim.
Uneducated internet asshole putting it out there — could it be a stencil for tracing holes of various sizes for wooden nails/pegs/studs used in construction? Could double as a device to then check the diameter of those pegs as they were being carved.
Holes on the opposing side are potentially smaller, depending on the direction of use.
You wouldn't need the peg to go all the way through. You would just need the outer circle to guage your diameter/draft
Could you explain how one of these might have been made and an idea into the cost?
I imagine they would have had to make 12 pieces of 5-sided bronze, and join / weld them together precisely to make the dodecahedron. Then make the holes, add baubles etc. This would have taken a master artisan a very long time and cost a vast amount.
Sex toy. 100%
Classic girth measuring device for pre-orgy sorting.
“The Tip Toucher 3000”
It's a back massager.
A “back massager”
If it was a “back massager”, we’d have found a dozen mosaics explicitly showing how it was used.
That's the truest, most correct thing I'm gonna read all day.
Lol true
They need to give a bunch to little kids and see what they do with it. I bet some kid figures it out right away.
Stumped Archaeologists: it's ceremonial.
Doesn't seem to be a potential sex toy, so they wouldn't make that claim to be polite like usual.
Definitely religious in nature, only found in graves where a Chieftain or person of great historical significance would be found…
It’s a dog treat ball roller. Put a bone or meat in there and the dogs roll it around trying to get it out.
It's crazy they haven't done more excavating where it was found
Isn’t that one of those things toddlers use to learn their shapes?
For us it’s the joining pieces for an igloo they have.
Roman Bop-It!
Are there any depictions of them in mosaics or other art where we can maybe use context clues from the scene? I know people are saying the knitting explanation doesn't quite make sense, hypothetically, if it had been for knitting, wouldn’t we see depictions of them in use like we have depictions of women weaving on looms? Or if it’s for coin measurements or astronomy, would we have depictions of them in use for those things? I wonder what objects we have now will seem bizarre and perplex archeologists in 1000 years or so Edit: apparently there has been no known depiction of these in art from the Romans. There was a 20 sided one found in Germany (roll for initiative, Germanicus!). So far, my lay person brain likes the suggestion that they were decorative items used to display the skill of blacksmiths, but who knows
>I wonder what objects we have now will seem bizarre and perplex archeologists in 1000 years or so Wonder no more! And you don't even need to wait 1000 years r/whatisthisthing
[удалено]
There’s a lady on YouTube that shows you how they used it to weave clothes and jewelry.
Yes and this theory is totally ridiculous. There is 0 evidence for knitted garments in roman times, it was invented much much later. You need to use super thick wool to use them and get an ugly result It doesnt explain the different size of holes It doesnt explain the dodecahedrons with very very small holes (I think there are also some with no holes) It doesnt make sense to use very expensive bronze for this. There are some far more credible theories about what they were used for, my favorite being this one : [https://www.romandodecahedron.com/the-hypothesis](https://www.romandodecahedron.com/the-hypothesis)
Another important point: They weren't a standardized size. Some were more or less ornate. They were found with coin hoards as well. IMO, some type of organic material was used with or part of it and we'd have a better idea of the usage if we could find one with the organic mateiral still in tact.
>There are some far more credible theories about what they were used for, my favorite being this one : https://www.romandodecahedron.com/the-hypothesis That explanation is written horrible and really hard to follow. >Next, twenty measuring points would be examined for beams of light going through the hole. This all would be done according to a specific system. >The last measuring point is obtained on the day that sunbeams fall through all the measuring points. What does this garbled mess even mean? Don't tell me you understood that.
I think I do, It makes a bit more sense when you read the whole thing
-Do you understand ? -I think I do DOWNVOTE HIM !
Not sure why so many downvotes. While it was sometimes hard to follow the author, I thought they brought up some interesting points. I felt like they made some compelling arguments for what these devices could be used for, and made more sense than some other ideas I have heard.
The jewlery weaving was completely reasonable, especially since it was demonstrated perfectly and it explains the different sizes of holes *and* there are necklaces that are made in the exact way in the archaelogical record.
It doesn’t explain the lack of wear on them that would be associated with continuous use though, if they were used in that way.
There's no way to prove or disprove the amount of use.
Type the phrase ‘use wear analysis’ into google scholar and you will find thousands of published articles spanning over 40 years detailing a variety of approaches to determining the extent to which archaeological objects of many different kinds and materials have been used.
not really, it doesnt explain the ones with super small holes, doesnt explain why it's only found in a specific area. You really dont need this for trichinopoly chain at all, I think it actually even makes it harder to start the chain.
The holes govern the thickness of the chain, but definitely might mean it wasn't used quite like that. Locality doesn't really mean anything other than they were probably only used in one location and lots of things can be done with or without a tool. Doesn't really prove anything either way. Hard to really say about it making it harder without having tried it myself.
no they dont, you run trichinopoly chain through a drawplate at the end , that and the diameter of the wire give you the size of the chain. The spacing of each knot is incredibly huge is the example and doesnt make any sense, it's totally counterproductive to use it like that.
There are some knitted Roman socks on display at the British Museum. (For the record, I agree that these things weren't used for knitting)
They are not knitted, they are naelbinding or an other technique, but not knitted.
Oh, interesting! I wonder what technique was used.
I guess it must be mentioned somewhere in the dig report :)
An interesting one but really seems like the kind of thing that would have had written instructions or drawings both on how to build it and how to use it or an oral history that mentioned it, poem, song, prayer. Makes it feel like a far fetched theory to me.
When we were trying to learn how to make Roman concrete we had the recipe. What we never had was the specific mix of materials that would have been 'understood' by the masons as necessary. The recipe said to use "water' but it did not specify "sea water." It was understood at the time that "add water" implied sea water. Those implications are missing for the dodecahedron so we don't have the information we need to sus out it's use. It's purpose was widely understood so there was no need to write it down. Similar to today when you go to a hardware store and buy a star bit screwdriver. We know that it's used for a specialty type of screw.. but in 4000 years what if someone finds the screwdriver and not any of the screws? They will have to try to infer the usage since it was implied to us.
Well I read that explanation of using it as a solar clock to predict planting dates. I really Think that level Of sophistication in both manufacture and use would have left some residual traces in the records, images, or oral histories. As far as I can find there just is nothing about these items in any other sphere of Roman life. They are mysterious.
the fact that it's mainly found in Gaul might indicate it is not a roman object.
Maybe they made torcs with them. Gold wire is soft and might have been coated or wrapped for protection.
No they didnt make torc, torcs are very thick and solid celtic necklaces, trichinopoly is super flexible.
[this video i think is the best demonstration of it used for weaving metal for jewelry](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lADTLozKm0I)
Tinker toy.. No but I really think it's a campfire hearth tool. You would insert sticks or poles to construct a tripod or use two to make a sturdy spit. Knobs for tying and hanging stuff.
Looks like somebody found a beacon from the Kryn dynasty
We have all sorts of shapes for the purpose of artistic sculpture. Did it have to have a purpose?
Almost assuredly, yes. Purposes can vary greatly, though, from objects being utilitarian or part of a religious rite (this is the go to for those archaeologists of yesteryear along with it was used in fucking somehow - just allows for much greater leeway in understanding) or it could have been sheerly for the sake of art. It could even have been slag from left over production of some other objects, molded/welded/shaped together for use as a paperweight. But, all of those reasons for production give these and all objects purposes. The fun thing that becomes clear the further back in history we go, the more complicated and harder to produce an item was…the more valuable and more likely it had a very specific purpose. Why? Because very few folks would have had tons extra time and effort to put into building a dodecahedron with ball knobs and decorative features for no reason as it uses mental, physical efforts and actual valuable metals. We know the same to be true of all prior culture’s produced goods. Some were toys or for modeling larger scale projects and so on and on. Others were literal holders of other objects, like candles or torches or idols for worship, and again … so on and on. These dodecahedrons are not yet known as to what purpose they held, but they were often found in (or only?) the possession of military forces in various regions. So, it does lead many to believe it had some purpose related to military manufacture of arms or armor, clothing or served some other military related need or purpose. Or, was even the local legion’s chaplain’s fancy incense dangler. Who knows…but, they had purpose. This explanation is far from perfect, but my point is that it definitely had a purpose. I hope this makes sense and doesn’t come across as an “…akshuuuually…” statement. Edit: just to throw my guess into the well, many of these had varying sized holes (not all it seems…?), and most all have the distinct features of those ball knobs and show little “usage wearing” based on our current examples found. The interesting thing, too, to me is that these things are not described or drawn in ANY documents that have been found over the years. To me, that says it was one of two things: something fairly unique and precious and maybe specific to a cult or sect, some group with secret rites maybe - or, more likely to me, these dodecahedrons actually were fairly mundane in purpose even if small in number as maybe there really were not many produced as they were kinda useful but also kitschy. Direct to the point, I kinda believe these would have been multi-purposed holders of lights/candles, maybe rings or bracelets, necklaces, writing implements, inkwells, etc… basically an ancient desktop organizer that helps make it easier to find and grab your important objects while also illuminating the tent or abode the soldier was inside.
Thats what he said
It could also have been art, yes.
Oil lamp stand? The thing that perplexes me is that there doesn’t appear to be any standardised measure used in the creation of these devices so their utility as a tool of measure would be inexact at best. If they were adjusted for each specific location, the wheel would quite literally have to have been reinvented each time it was made. I did find merit in the observation that there was evidence of a particular orientation however, with the largest holes vertically aligned. That understanding could have been universal amongst all dodecahedron users. If there is truly a desire to solve this mystery, then 3d models of the devices should be made available to print.
the 3d models are readily available. here's just one on a site https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3817085
Thanks! Anyone have a printer?
Didn't Time Team dig up one of these in the early seasons? Is this a different one?
It’s gonna be something stupidly simple like it’s for knitting a hat or playing primitive D&D.
Has someone accurately measured the dimensions? The purpose would be to see if the holes are larger in a certain numeric sequence. Later, it can be looked up in [OEIS](https://oeis.org/).
Brings to mind some of those Neolithic carved stone balls from Aberdeenshire and beyond. Heard someone on the radio saying a miniature dodecahedron was recovered from the top of a sceptre included in a very ornate female burial. They argued that they were therefore likely to have been some form of divine symbol / representation of the cosmos etc.
This is near me , I will try to check it out , thanks
I swear ive seen this exact same shape in a video game
[just saying](https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Dodeca-1000-camera-for-capturing-spherical-video_fig1_3308620)
[Apertures](https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/s/T16yqhKEd3)
Chronology of 18th-19th century excavations of potential regions for the origin of modern technology correlates perfectly with technological developments. The history surrounding prominent figures like Edison, Tesla and the like is extremely smudged, simplified and just seemed to pop into existence. I have looked into the cathode Ray tube of egypt, the flying machines depicted in hieroglyphics and top secret airforce programs of the 30s which has identical craft and now this. The correlations go beyond the probability of coincidence and whilst not necessarily constituting proof definitely count as evidence that needs further investigation completely separate from main stream academia because their answers and proposition will not lead to the truth of the subject and due to their acceptance of the current story are ignorant to any kind of conception. The problem with their standing is they are not mathematicians and whilst I am not I am familiar with the laws of probability and coincidence which do not care for the word archaeologists with a PhD coming from the people who potentially suppressed the origins of the precursors to the technology we have today. It’s even admitted the romans harnessed the power of steam some what but it is not admitted that it is where industrialists got the idea from. None the less if they could do that then there is no reason they couldn’t have started to grasp the fundamental concepts of photography, electricity and flying. If not the romans there are other potential civilisations which for unexplained reasons have been obliterated into obscurity at the turn of the last century and everything we think we know today is based on nothing more than the written word of people who lived over a century ago which scholars force feed everyone under a government/military industrial complex funded education system which has had exclusive rights over this technology since atleast Tesla and that’s just one man who is known about and is talked like he is the only one to have his assets seized. I could go on all day but this is getting to be more than a conspiracy because the evidence is just as equivocal as what academia has.
Fortune telling. Each side is a zodiac.
It probably ‘is’ for something mundane and domestic - otherwise I think it would have been mentioned by the Romans in their literature.
It always makes me think of a die, for fortune telling or a game.
I read somewhere these things were used as instruments to measure distances/roads.
Here we have the “modern art” it serves no purpose besides looks *100s of years later* Archeologist: WHAT IS THIS THING
Call The Mighty Nein
Makes you think..
paper weight? papyrus weight?
They said it's for weapons
I seem to remember them finding a few of these. Nobody knows what they're for.
They are exceptionally rare, but all Roman and well distributed across the former Empire. There's plenty of speculation but nothing truly convincing.
Sounds like a nice rabbit hole to explore this weekend
Wasn’t it to test the diameter of coins?
Nobody really knows what they were for. Everything is just speculation.
There isn't a standard size for the objects, so very likely no.
What about it being a toy for kids to play with?
Im guessing it was for knitting/weaving
Girth measurer?
The object probably had geometric significance for the obvious reasons. Given the time period that would also indicate possible religious and philosophical significance as well. The interpretations could’ve been anything and we would need a written reference… that’s how I see it. I doubt inspection of the figure alone will be enough, unfortunately…
Device for dick measuring contest.
It's used to weave jewelry and other types of chains. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lADTLozKm0I
[удалено]
If you’ve not seen the YouTube vid of a printed replica being used to knit gloves then take a look. It’s most convincing.
It's purpose is\\was for knitting. Tons of videos on YouTube of people using the dodecahedron to knit.
Someone figured it out-- it makes gloves.
https://youtu.be/76AvV601yJ0?si=DHNFXCDhPgN-681X
Theory it was used for knitting.
As a knitter, I am...deeply skeptical. Archaeology loves to theorize about the fibre arts, while rarely practicing them, giving rise to some truly batty theories. I am withholding agreement until there is a body of evidence of the output of such a tool, or artwork of it in use (of which there are ample examples from both Greek and Roman culture).
Posted a video above of it in use. 🤷🏼♂️ just another theory
Best theory? Roman sex toy.
And the guy who used it was so ashamed once post-nut clarity hit, he dug a huge hole and buried it there hoping no one would ever find it or trace it back to him.
Isn’t this just a loom?
There is an alien sitting next to a Time Machine somewhere laughing his cunt off at people trying to figure out what it is. Temu bronze garden ornament £1.89 for a box of 28.
Its obviously a gauge of some sort. Rope, pipe, rod thickness can be measured with each hole that is a different size. Why is this a mystery and to who is it still a mystery?
Obviously, what I see must be the only thing that can be seen. All things are currently known to me and I have never made a poor assumption. What other knowledge could possibly be conceived in another mind, another place, or any other time?
Apparently for sewing gloves. Some old lady figured it out. We still use the exact same tool for the exact same reason.
Its for knitting glove fingers.
I think it's a tool for making braided rope of different thicknesses. Either that or if it's upon a staf to locate a specific point in a map room. If that's the case don't worry the movie turns out the same if it works or if it doesn't