Shared description
The Norton Disney Dodecahedron
This mysterious object was found on the penultimate day of an archaeological dig by Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group Link
near Norton Disney, Lincolnshire in Summer 2023. The site is close to the Fosse Way Roman Road linking Lindum Colonia (Lincoln) and Isca Dumnoniorum (Exeter).
The Norton Disney Dodecahedron is one of only 33 examples found in Roman Britain, about 130 known examples across the Roman World and one of the largest known examples at 8cm diameter, weighing 254g, cast with copper alloy, unusually with 26% lead content.
Dodecahedra are not considered ‘Roman’ as they don’t come from Rome and are only found in the Northern and Western Provinces of the Roman Empire, so Romano-Celt, Romano-British or Gallo-Roman. There are no known descriptions or illustrations in Roman literature and art.
Their function or purpose is unclear, most likely a ritual object rather than functional as the surfaces and openings show no signs of wear.
near Norton Disney, Lincolnshire in Summer 2023. The site is close to the Fosse Way Roman Road linking Lindum Colonia (Lincoln) and Isca Dumnoniorum (Exeter).The Norton Disney Dodecahedron is one of only 33 examples found in Roman Britain, about 130 known examples across the Roman World and one of the largest known examples at 8cm diameter, weighing 254g, cast with copper alloy, unusually with 26% lead content.
Dodecahedra are not considered ‘Roman’ as they don’t come from Rome and are only found in the Northern and Western Provinces of the Roman Empire, so Romano-Celt, Romano-British or Gallo-Roman. There are no known descriptions or illustrations in Roman literature and art.
Their function or purpose is unclear, most likely a ritual object rather than functional as the surfaces and openings show no signs of wear.
Created: Sun, 5 May 2024, Updated: Sun, 5 May 2024
2 images use this description: (all images taken in 2024)
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