The “Roman dodecahedron,” made of bronze or stone and shaped like a twelve-faced polyhedron, has sparked various speculations about its purpose. Some experts believe it might have served as a measuring instrument, while others consider it nothing more than a decorative candleholder. Historians and archaeologists have been working diligently to unravel the mysteries surrounding these enigmatic ancient artifacts. Yet, numerous questions remain unanswered. Despite significant advancements in archaeology, certain enigmas of ancient civilizations still perplex us.

Presented here are “10 Fascinating Facts about the Roman dodecahedron,” which symbolize a puzzle within the field of archaeology. They serve as a reminder that, despite the significant progress we’ve made, many ancient mysteries are still awaiting our exploration and understanding.

1. The Mysterious Roman Dodecahedron:

The Roman dodecahedron is a hollow object made of stone or bronze, varying in size from 3.8 centimeters to 11.3 centimeters. It is believed to have been produced during the Roman era, spanning from the 2nd to the 4th century AD. Approximately 100 Roman dodecahedra have been discovered thus far, with findings in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Hungary, with the majority found in western Germany and France. What’s intriguing is that these dodecahedra, found across a wide geographical area and in substantial numbers, are not mentioned in contemporary Roman literature and are absent from artwork.

2. Exploring the Use and Origin of the Ancient Roman Dodecahedra:

The ancient Roman dodecahedra are small hollow objects made of bronze or stone, with a dodecahedral shape. Their purpose remains unclear, and various suggestions have been proposed, including aiding in knitting gloves and determining winter grain sowing dates. Most of these enigmatic items have been found in France and Germany, with diameters ranging from 4 to 11 centimeters. However, there is no mention of these objects in contemporary records, mosaics, reliefs, or other artistic expressions, raising numerous questions. Their exact purpose has been debated for over two centuries, with some archaeologists suggesting that these mysterious objects may have been used to support candles, given that a few candle remains have been discovered.

3. Use, History, and Controversy:

These theories also suggest alternative uses, such as dice for an ancient game. Some authors even propose that these artifacts could have been employed for measuring distances (surveying tools), or determining the right date for planting crops in winter, calibrating aqueducts, or serving as religious items or items used in various rituals. However, some experts argue that these enigmatic objects might have had simpler uses, possibly as children’s toys. Considering that most of these items were primarily found in peripheral regions of the Roman Empire, where Roman legions were a dominant presence, the Roman dodecahedra could have had a military function.

4. Roman Dodecahedra: The Enigma of Ancient Tools:

One popular contemporary hypothesis regarding the dodecahedra is that they were used as weaving tools to create gloves. Regardless of whether this mystery is solved, Martin Hallett’s YouTube video has inspired others to attempt making their own gloves using this weaving technique. He used a 3D-printed replica of a Roman dodecahedron to craft gloves to test his idea. This notion can account for the various sizes of dodecahedra, producing gloves of different sizes.

However, one of the most accepted theories is that Roman dodecahedra were used as measuring devices, more precisely, for measuring distances on the battlefield. They may have been used to calculate the trajectory of projectiles. This can explain the different-sized holes in the dodecahedra. Similar theories include their use as measuring and leveling devices. Nevertheless, neither of these theories has garnered substantial evidence, and the exact way in which dodecahedra were employed for these purposes remains inadequately explained.

5. Ancient Astronomical Speculations about the Mysterious Dodecahedra:

The renowned Greek historian Plutarch left behind some ancient texts regarding these enigmatic ancient objects. He wrote that these prehistoric artifacts represented the zodiac, with each of the twelve faces corresponding to an astrological sign. However, even this theory has been rejected by scholars because it does not explain the unique decorations on the dodecahedra. It’s worth noting that many dodecahedra were found alongside other treasures and coins, likely buried by their owners to evade robbers or thieves, indicating that they were considered valuable items. Experts in Southeast Asia have discovered smaller dodecahedra made of gold with similar features (holes and knobs), and they were likely used for decorative purposes, with the earliest items dating back to the Roman era.

6. Astronomical Measurement Tools or Agricultural Implements?

In 2010, fragments of Roman dodecahedra were discovered at the construction site of the A2 tunnel in Maastricht. These dodecahedra fragments measured 8.1 centimeters in height and were individually decorated with dots at each of the 20 corners. So, what these mysterious objects truly are remains a puzzle. However, there is one theory that stands out, proposed by G.M.C. Wagemans. He wrote, “The dodecahedra are astronomical measuring instruments that could gauge the angle of sunlight, thereby accurately determining a specific date in spring and another date in autumn.” These measurable dates are likely to be of significance to agriculture.

7. The Enigma of Historical Polyhedra:

There is no mention of dodecahedra in contemporary works or photographs. Speculations about their use include serving as measuring instruments to estimate distances to distant objects (or their sizes), although they are not marked as mathematical instruments. There are doubts about this theory. It has also been suggested that they were used as spindle whorls for making gloves, but the earliest mention of spindle whorls dates back to 1535. They might have been part of children’s toys or used for decorative purposes. There is evidence that several dodecahedra were found in coin hoards, and their owners either considered them valuable items or believed their sole purpose was related to the accompanying coins. Some have theorized that they could be religious artifacts or divination tools. The latter speculation is based on the fact that most examples were found in Gallo-Roman sites. It’s also possible that they were used to test the skills of metalworkers, perhaps as part of a portfolio to demonstrate their level of expertise to clients, or as a means of qualifying for specific positions within a guild or university. Gender has also been suggested as a possibility. This conjecture is based on the historical cost of bronze and the level of skill required to cast such items. Some 19th-century antiquarians speculated that these might have been weapon heads like javelin tips or metal bullets, but others argue that dodecahedra are too light to be effective weapons.

8. Ancient Astronomical Tools or Agricultural Enigma?

One of the more intriguing theories suggests that the dodecahedra served as astronomical measurement instruments to determine the optimal planting dates for crops. According to G.M.C. Wagemans, “The dodecahedra are astronomical measuring instruments that could gauge the angle of sunlight, thereby accurately determining a specific date in spring and another date in autumn.” These measurable dates could be of significant importance to agriculture. However, opponents of this theory point out that due to the lack of standardization of dodecahedra and the presence of various sizes and arrangements, its utility for such purposes is questionable.

9. Religious Tools, Entertainment Games, or Symbols?

Another unverified theory posits that dodecahedra were religious relics used by Druids in Britannia and Caledonia as sacred tools. However, there is no written record or archaeological evidence supporting this viewpoint. Could these strange objects have been nothing more than toys or games for soldiers during wartime? Some evidence suggests that they were the central objects in a game similar to the bowls games of our time, and these artifacts were used as markers while players tossed stones into the holes of the dodecahedra.

10. The Secrets of Polyhedra:

Another discovery has deepened the mystery surrounding the functions of these objects. Not long ago, Benno Artmann found a Roman icosahedron (a polyhedron with 20 faces), which was initially misclassified as a dodecahedron based on a casual glance and stored in a museum’s basement. This discovery raises the question of whether there are many other undiscovered geometric objects of different types, such as icosahedra, hexagons, or octahedra, from the once-significant Roman Empire.

Despite many unanswered questions, one thing is certain: the Roman dodecahedra were highly valued by their owners. This is evidenced by the fact that some were found in treasure hoards alongside coins and other precious items. We may never know the true purpose of the Roman dodecahedra, but we can only hope that advances in archaeology will uncover more clues to help unravel this ancient mystery.