Mysterious Roman dodecahedron to go on show

A mysterious 12-sided object from the Roman era is to go on show in Lincolnshire. The hollow dodecahedrons continue to baffle archaeologists with their elusive purpose.

Only 33 have been discovered in Britain - with the latest recently unearthed during a 2023 amateur archaeology dig near Lincoln and set to go on public display. This artefact, one of the largest of its kind found, measures 8cm tall and weighs 254g.

Its significance lies not only in its size but also in its discovery "in situ", where it was originally placed 1,700 years ago. This rare find offers a unique opportunity to unlock the mysteries surrounding these enigmatic objects, as only three other dodecahedra have been found through archaeological excavations.

It was unearthed by a local history and archaeology group in the village of Norton Disney. Crafted with precision from a copper alloy comprising 75 per cent copper, 7 per cent tin, and 18 per cent lead, this dodecahedron stands as a testament to the fine craftsmanship of its era. It was found meticulously placed alongside 4th-century Roman pottery, within an excavated hole or quarry pit, the dodecahedron offers a glimpse into ancient rituals and religious practices.

Despite extensive research, the purpose of these dodecahedra remains shrouded in mystery. They defy conventional explanations, as they do not conform to standard measurements nor exhibit signs of wear typical of tools. Instead, archaeologists speculate that these objects may have served a ceremonial or religious function in Roman society.

In January 2024, the group's discovery of the dodecahedron was revealed publicly in Series 11, episode 4 of the BBC's show Digging For Britain. The dodecahedron has been kept at the National Civil War Centre in Newark, Nottinghamshire and will go on display at the Lincoln Museum as part of the city's Festival of History from Saturday.

Members of the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group are currently seeking donations to enable them to conduct their summer 2024 excavations in the hope that they bag similar finds this year.