We have known about them since the 18th century, but their purpose is still unknown.
Roman dodecahedron found near Frankfurt
The first Roman dodecahedron was found in England in 1739. Since then, more than a hundred have appeared in different parts of Europe (especially in Germany and France). However, the purpose for their manufacture remains unknown given the limited information available about them.
They are hollow dodecahedron-shaped objects measuring between 4 and 11 cm. Mostly made of bronze (although some are stone), their faces have holes of different diameters decorated with engraved circles and small spheres at the vertices.
They are estimated to date from between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, and since some have been found alongside buried coins, it is generally assumed they were valuable objects.
There is little information about them, and there are many hypotheses about their purpose, with no consensus among the scientific community on any of them.
It is surprising that no reference to them has been found in artistic representations of the period, although Plutarch wrote in the 1st century that they represented the zodiac (twelve faces, twelve symbols). This explanation does not seem to convince the scientific community.
Among the hypotheses being considered are diverse uses such as measuring instruments, some military objects, candle holders (wax remains appear to have been found in some of them), dice for some type of game, calendars for calculating sowing dates, and even the theory recently emerged that they were used to knit gloves.
I recommend this Mentalfloss article that delves deeper into these theories:
The Mysterious Bronze Objects That Have Baffled Archaeologists for Centuries
When we learned of the existence of these objects, we thought it would be something beautiful to reproduce, and here is the result.
It’s 3D printed. Modified and hand-painted to achieve the look we desired.
Roman dodecahedron replica. Mj2artesanos
Now available in our store:
http://www.mj2artesanos.es/es/home/106-dodecaedro-romano.html