Roman dodecahedron
Roman dodecahedron is the name for dodecahedra which were found in Europe. In total, over hundred such objects were found in all European parts of the Roman Empire. They date from the second or third century CE, and were made of bronze or stone. They are hollow, and each of the twelve pentangular faces has a hole in it. Most of these were found on the territories of modern-day France and Germany, but some were also found in Hungary and Great Britain. They are between 4 centimetres (1.6 in) and 11 centimetres (4.3 in) in size.
The exact function or use of the dodecahedra remains a mystery; no mention of them has been found in texts or pictures of the time. Speculated uses include candlestick holders (wax was found inside one example); dice; survey instruments; devices for determining the optimal sowing date for winter grain;[1] that they were used to calibrate water pipes; and army standard bases. It has also been suggested that they may have been religious artifacts of some kind. This speculation is based on the fact that most of the examples have been found in Gallo-Roman sites.[2][3]
Notes
change- ↑ This webpage also has a map of the distribution of the dodecahedra
- ↑ Henig, Martin (1984), Religion in Roman Britain, Routledge, p. 128, ISBN 0-7134-6047-4
- ↑ Kilford, L.J.P. (December 2004), "A Mathematical Tourist in Germany", Mathematics Today, 40 (6): 204
References
change- Hill, C. (1994), "Gallo-Roman Dodecahedra: a progress report", The Antiquaries' Journal, 74: 289–292, doi:10.1017/S0003581500024458, S2CID 161691752
Other websites
change
Media related to Roman dodecahedron at Wikimedia Commons- Roman Dodecahedra (also includes one Roman icosahedron)
- "History Mystery: Ancient Dodecahedron's Purpose Remains Secret" by Alexandria Hein, Fox News, June 10, 2011
