A rare mystery Roman object discovered during an amateur archaeological dig in Lincolnshire is now on display for the first time in its home county.
Unearthed in the village of Norton Disney, near Lincoln, in summer 2023, the puzzling dodecahedron is one of only 33 such objects found in Britain and the first to have been discovered in the Midlands.
Thought to date from the third or fourth century, the copper alloy, hollow, 12-sided object is also one of the largest examples to be found, measuring around 8cm tall and weighing 245g.
And unlike most examples which are damaged, or just fragments, the Norton Disney dodecahedron is complete and in remarkable condition after 1,700 years of being buried.
But experts remain baffled about the purpose of these objects, with no references in Roman texts or depictions of them, although it is believed they were probably associated with Roman rituals and religious practice.
Now visitors to the Lincoln Museum have the chance to take a closer look at the dodecahedron, which is on display until early September 2024.
The free-entry museum, located in the heart of Lincoln’s cultural quarter, brings the history and archaeology of the city alive, including its Roman past when Lindum Colonia was an important Roman settlement. Among exhibits is a mosaic floor discovered during the construction of the museum building (www.lincolnmuseum.com).
Meanwhile, the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, who found the dodecahedron, aims to return to the spot this summer to fully excavate the site in the hope of discovering more about the mystery find.
For more about visiting, and staying in, Lincolnshire, see www.visitlincolnshire.com
Photo: Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group