Second mysterious dodecahedron found in Flanders

[Judi Lynn]

Gallo-Romeins Museum Tongeren

A dodecahedron dating from the Roman era has been discovered in a field in Kortessem (Limburg) by an amateur archaeologist. The object is extremely rare and has now been donated to the Gallo Roman Museum of Tongeren where it will be on view to the public.

Colin Clapson
Tue 10 Jan 12:18

A dodecahedron is a geometric figure that possesses twelve pentagonal sides that have little spheres at each corner. It is made of bronze and is hollow inside. “It’s never been really clear what they were used for” explains Patrick Schuermans, the amateur archaeologist who made the find. “Experts believe it may have been used as a measuring instrument or was used to look at the stars to allow farmers to know when to sow their seeds or harvest. But it remains guesswork. It’s a real mystery!”

Schuermans is only the third person in Belgium and the second in Flanders to find a piece of a dodecahedron. “When I encountered the item in a field in Kortessem (Limburg) I had some idea of what it was. I’d already seen the object in books and at the museum. The Heritage agency has now confirmed that it is a piece of a dodecahedron”.

Schuermans has donated his find to the Gallo Roman Museum in Tongeren: “The archaeological value is far greater than any financial value. I’m not being paid, but I believe it’s important it doesn’t disappear in a draw and can be exhibited”.

https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2023/01/10/second-mysterious-dodecahedron-found-in-flanders/

[intrepidity]

1. Needs a banana for scale

But I think it was probably an early Lego-type toy

[Probatim]

20. Looks like it would wreak havoc on the bottom of a bare foot.

[Docreed2003]

2. The Romans were just playing D&D

[Efilroft Sul]

13. Gods & Gauls

[alittlelark]

3. I used to doodle something like that as a kid

Over and over and over.

[calimary]

4. Looks like a model of the COVID virus.

[MiHale]

5. Ancient model of a virus...

Or a building block kinda like Lego but using holes and pin/peg to join. Different size round end of pin will fit into corresponding hole. Flat sides are for stability.

[chowder66]

6. Duhhhhh... it's for measuring dried spaghetti.

[Effete Snob]

8. That was my first thought as well

The holes being different sizes suggest a measurement device of some kind.

[Effete Snob]

7. The holes aren't all the same size

It looks like some kind of gauging or ranging device. Since the holes aren’t the same size then lining up the device at an appropriate distance from the eye, and then sighting an object of known size through it, could provide a distance measurement. A type of surveying device.

[Backseat Driver]

9. Maybe to mend chainmail? n/t

[Farmer-Rick]

10. Oh, they are pretty small

From 2 to 4 inches.


I thought they were 2 to 4 feet. Big difference.

[Qutzupalotl]

11. The first sentence is wrong.

“ A dodecahedron is a geometric figure that possesses twelve pentagonal sides that have little spheres at each corner” should read: “ A dodecahedron is a geometric figure that possesses twelve pentagonal sides. This one has little spheres at each corner.”

[Iggo]

15. Lol...thanks for typing it out so I didn't have to.

[Joinfortmill]

12. Looks like a human scull/head.

[packman]

14. There is a video showing how this was used to make gloves

[StClone]

18. Of all the solutions this is the one that makes most sense.

[Duppers]

23. Indeed! 👍

[BumRushDaShow]

21. I like this theory

5 sides, each side with a hole of a different size. Plus add a "hand" size device that could possibly just be a ring with similar pegs/knobs like this, and voila -



Making the circular metal rings with pegs would be easier than fashioning that dodecahedron with plates having different sized holes, so I can see how a dodecahedron would be kept more close to the vest as "valuable" by an owner. It's also possible that there are "bracelets" with pegs on them that are just being called "ancient jewelry" but are actually functional for that knitting purpose for the larger hand section.

[Warpy]

16. They have been found in Roman military encmpments in cold areas

but not around the Mediterranean, suggesting that they were used as jigs for manufacturing something necessary in cold climates.

Knitters have used them to knit glove fingers of various sizes, more successful with crude, heavy yarn than with light yarn, and very wearable. The palms of such gloves would likely have been made of leather and fingers would have worn out constantly, requiring frequent replacement. The largest holes might have accommodated leather strips to be knitted together in long strips, to be used as reains and other items. Best of all, it would have kept an army busy during their down time, cutting down on the drinking and carousing and keeping them ready in case they were needed.

[FakeNoose]

17. It seems to me that it must have something to do with weaponry

Why else would the marauding Roman soldiers have brought it with them to a foreign outpost? Maybe this item was used for gauging projectiles or arrows of some kind.

The video upthread suggests that it could have been used for knitting or crocheting gloves. Well okay it's possible, but those gloves would have been made by the Roman wives or servants back home. The soldiers wouldn't be crocheting out in the field before taking down an enemy army.

There must be some military reason for this item. Otherwise they would have left it back home.

[KS Toronado]

19. Since the holes are different sizes

could it have been a game rolling piece? Depending on what size hole would be on top after rolling
would decide how many spaces you got to move on an early monopoly game?

[The Jungle 1]

22. Wonder how it was made?

It is a complicated shape.

[Brother Buzz]

25. It's made of cast bronze

Lost wax casting of some sort would be my guess

[The Jungle 1]

26. Yes that seems reasonable.

[Iggo]

24. Two-handed attack with a versatile weapon.

[Judi Lynn]

27. Metal Detectorist Finds Mysterious Roman Object Possibly Used for Magic

Patrick Schuermans discovered a fragment of a 1,600-year-old dodecahedron in Belgium

Sarah Kuta
Daily Correspondent

February 6, 2023



An intact Roman dodecahedron at the Gallo-Roman Museum Flanders Heritage Agency

Amateur archaeologist Patrick Schuermans was wandering around a field in northern Belgium when his metal detector alerted him to the presence of something underfoot. When he located the item in question, he realized it might be something special.

He had stumbled upon a fragment of a 12-sided Roman object called a dodecahedron. It’s likely more than 1,600 years old, according to the experts at the Gallo-Roman Museum in Tongeren, Belgium, where Schuermans took the fragment in December. His find will now go on display at the museum alongside an intact bronze dodecahedron found nearby in 1939.

Schuermans, who has been hunting with his metal detector for years, found the fragment near the town of Kortessem in Flanders. His discovery is only the second known dodecahedron found in the area, per a statement from the government-run Flanders Heritage Agency. Experts believe the piece belonged to a dodecahedron that measured roughly two inches across.



The fragment discovered in northern Belgium Flanders Heritage Agency

Dodecahedrons have long perplexed archaeologists and historians. They are typically 12-sided geometric objects made of metal with hollow centers. They’re about the size of a baseball and are dotted with large holes; studs protrude from each corner.

More:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/amateur-archaeologist-discovers-mysterious-roman-object-possibly-used-for-magic-180981582/