Roman Dodecahedron

History · Finds

The Norton Disney Dodecahedron

Key points

  • Found in June 2023 by a community dig near Norton Disney, Lincolnshire, in trench four, in what looked like a large pit.[TC]
  • The 33rd found in England and the first in the Midlands; around 8 cm across and 245 g.[TC]
  • Shown at Lincoln Museum from May 2024; more than 15,000 visitors by late August.[BBC]

The find

The Norton Disney Archaeology Group opened four trenches near the village in June 2023. The dodecahedron turned up in trench four, in what appeared to be a large pit, on the penultimate day of the dig.[TC] The group's secretary, Richard Parker, described it as completely undamaged with no evidence of wear.[TC]

Facts and measurements

Norton Disney dodecahedron
SizeAround 8 cm across[TC]
Weight245 g[TC][BBC]
Composition (handheld XRF)Copper alloy 75%, tin 7%, lead 18%[TC]
Rank33rd in England, first in the Midlands[TC]
AgeThought to have been buried about 1,700 years ago[BBC]

The site

Pottery from the trenches ranges from the Iron Age to the Roman period. A Roman villa nearby was excavated in 1935.[TC] The National Civil War Centre says it was found in a quarry pit backfilled in the late 3rd to 4th centuries.[NCWC]

On display

It went on show at Lincoln Museum in May 2024, and the display was extended to at least October 2024 after more than 15,000 visitors.[BBC][LCC] It is now at the National Civil War Centre in Newark.[NCWC] We don't reproduce the group's photographs; see them on the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group's page.

What it might have been

Visitors suggested a spaghetti measure and a road-surveying device. Broadcaster Jonathan Foyle suggested a frame for the zodiac constellations.[BBC] Like every other example, its purpose is unknown: see every theory compared.

FAQ

Where was the Norton Disney dodecahedron found?

In a field near Norton Disney, Lincolnshire, during a community dig in June 2023.

How big is it?

Around 8 cm across, weighing 245 g.

Where can I see it?

At the National Civil War Centre in Newark.

Sources

  1. [TC] S. Tipper, “Beautifully crafted Roman dodecahedron discovered in Lincoln – but what were they for?”, The Conversation, 2 May 2024
  2. [BBC] A. Macey, “Roman dodecahedron to remain on show at museum”, BBC News, 27 Aug 2024
  3. [LCC] Lincolnshire County Council, “Mysterious Roman dodecahedron found in Norton Disney to go on display in Lincolnshire for the first time”
  4. [NCWC] National Civil War Centre, Newark, “Norton Disney Dodecahedron”
  5. [NDHAG] Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, dodecahedron page

Ready to hold one? See our metal Roman dodecahedron replica, cast in solid brass or bronze.