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Private listing:
$200.00

Private listing - California shippingThis is a precise replica of a 10.5 cm Roman dodecahedron discovered in northwest Europe, dating to 100 - 400 AD. This 1:1 replica was designed with detail suitable for museum use as a stand-in when the original is removed from display for cleaning.
This listing includes the museum information tag and free Priority shipping in the continental United States.
I have two of these, and they appear true to the originals even under close scrutiny.This dodecahedron is 10.5 centimeters from point to point, which makes it among the larger of the 300+ dodecahedra ever discovered. The opposing holes on the 12 co-planar faces are matched precisely to the original. This accuracy makes this model suitable for researchers attempting to ascertain the purpose of the holes, and the significance of their size, proportionality and spacing. Theories include navigation, range-finding, and moon-phase calculations.The original purpose of the Roman dodecahedron is still unknown. There are no references to it in any literature or records of the time, and archaeologists have proposed only theories over the centuries since the first one was discovered. Some dodecahedra were discovered in bags of coins, suggesting use with the sizing or sorting of money. Some have been discovered with surveying equipment, suggesting use in range-finding or navigation. Yet others have been found covered with wax, suggesting something as mundane as a candle holder. Still others have proposed a knitting tool, a sundial, an occult prop, and even a child's toy. Ultimately, its original use is one of the true remaining mysteries of our time, and there is significant debate in the archaeological community.
This model is sized and scaled precisely, and is the appropriate size where others I have seen are too small and thus functionally useless. If your goal is research or experimentation to determine the original use, this model supports that effort if you cannot gain hands-on access to a museum's original. For an excellent, short five-minute video explaining the mystery, search "History Channel Mystery of the Roman Dodecahedron." This was manufactured by hand using an extremely hard and water-impervious wax over a water-tight latticed thermoplastic and acrylic. It is finished in a water-tight coating which provides a satisfying grip to the fingertips, similar to the tack and grip present in the original. You may return it if you are unhappy.