© Norton Disney History and Archeology Group
A mysterious Roman dodecahedron is on display in England. Archaeologists have been puzzled for years, because no one knows what the objects are for.
“Was it for magic, for rituals or for religion? The imagination runs wild.” Richard Parker, secretary of the English Norton Disney History and Archeology Group, is enthusiastic about the BBC. From Saturday the dodecahedron – or the regular dodecahedron – will be exhibited there.
Last year’s discovery in June was therefore spectacular. During their excavations in the village, the group of amateur archaeologists found the bronze object in almost perfect condition. 8 centimeters in size, 254 grams in weight, making it one of the largest Roman dodecahedrons ever found. It dates from between 43 and 410 AD. Since 1739, about 130 of them have been found in Northern and Western Europe, all north of the Alps.
But archaeologists have been wondering for decades what exactly is the point of it. The theories vary. From a dice to a kind of calendar to see when to sow. The latest theories state that these are ritual objects, especially since they were found in Norton Disney, where they were deliberately buried near a statue. The excavations will continue later this year. (cka)
