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Description: | A copper alloy fragment of a Roman (AD c.100-300) dodecahedron, comprising of one complete edge, two cylindrical lugs (one at each corner) and short sections of four other edges. Overall, the fragment measures 37.65mm in length (34.30mm not including the lugs), 26.15mm in width and 21.05mm thick (9.55mm not including the lugs). It weighs 27.13g. Each face of the dodecahedron would have contained a circular hole, each of a different size. The edges of three of these circles are recogniseable at the sides of this fragment. The cylindrical lugs are of similar sizes, 13.05mm and 12.40mm in diameter. The reverse (i.e. the interior) is concave and has been crudely cast, whereas the outer surface is relatively smooth,Copper alloy dodecahedrons are uncommon finds and appear restricted to the northern part of the Roman empire, stretching from Britain to Hungary. Not many are known from Britain and the present example appears to be one of only a few from Southern England outside if London. Only three others have been recorded by the PAS: YORYM-41CD72, PUBLIC-959804, SUR-729950. The function of these objects remains uncertain and various suggestions have been made including surveying instruments, rangefinders, candleholders, sceptre heads or polygonal dice.See:Allason-Jones, L., and Miket, R.F., Catalogue of Small Finds from South Shields Roman Fort (1984) No. 3.741.'A Roman Dodecahedron for measuring distance', by Amelia Carolina Sparavigna, arXiv, 29 Apr 2012.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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