this post was submitted on 23 Jan 2024
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  • A Roman dodecahedron, a mysterious 12-sided metal object, was discovered in the village of Norton Disney in England.
  • The artifact is in excellent condition and is larger than many other dodecahedrons that have been found.
  • The purpose of these objects remains unclear, but theories suggest they may have been used for ritualistic or religious purposes.
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[–] Revan343@lemmy.ca 27 points 7 months ago (5 children)

I still think they're a test/show of skill for blacksmiths

[–] xor@infosec.pub 16 points 7 months ago (1 children)

they've been found in coin hordes and the like... they were definitely more valuable than that

[–] chaogomu@kbin.social 15 points 7 months ago

An item that only the absolute best blacksmiths or metalworkers could make.

Sounds valuable.

[–] AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 12 points 7 months ago (1 children)

As an apprentice blacksmith, yeah. I would have difficulty attempting to make that thing out of bronze, and would definitely learn more about smithing than I do now, just making the thing.

[–] athos77@kbin.social 5 points 7 months ago

You could try making one as your next project?

[–] Deceptichum@kbin.social 3 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Wouldn’t they melt them down to make something more useful once it was complete and their skills proven?

[–] holycrap@lemm.ee 10 points 7 months ago

If the craftsmanship theory is correct they would probably put them on display to advertise their business.

[–] hex_m_hell@slrpnk.net 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Machinists will often have a tuner's cube on their desk. It does have a bit of the same feel.

[–] Deceptichum@kbin.social 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

We’re also in the 21st century, with an abundance of wealth and material possessions the past could only imagine. We can afford lots of useless shit laying around.

I’ve always leant towards the gloves theory myself.

[–] hex_m_hell@slrpnk.net 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

If it's a display of skill then it's an advertisement, which is useful. Then again, I'm not an archaeologist or historian, and even if I was apparently I'd still have no clue.

[–] Deceptichum@kbin.social 2 points 7 months ago

True but who are you going to advertise to? A village would be lucky to have a smith at all, and travel was dangerous so you’re not going to go shopping for someone else. Especially not in the backwater edges of the Roman Empire/Britain.

[–] someguy3@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago

But why were they only in northern areas?

[–] GladiusB@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

I am guessing they are a tool of some sort. You can do a lot with angles and rope with two of these.