Dafydd Posted January 21 · Supporter Share Posted January 21 It was surprising to read an editorial comment in todays "Sunday Times" newspaper about a Dodecahedron. Does anyone have any ideas what it is? See; 9 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis JJ Posted January 21 · Supporter Share Posted January 21 (edited) Coin sorter, of course! Actually, no strong opinion (though Wikipedia does mention some have been found in coin hoards). I liked the idea of the surveying instrument for measuring distances (something about perspective and size of the holes when you look through them). But it seems that hypothesis hasn't caught on. I saw the headlines about a newly found one in Britain but haven't read any more about it. I'm sure that metal detectorist was thrilled! These sure are weird and interesting Edited January 21 by Curtis JJ 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted January 21 · Supporter Share Posted January 21 (edited) None of the theories really make sense of it. They're not all the same, the holes aren't consistent, they're found right across Gallo-Roman territory. They can't just be decorative but show no signs of wear. The number of sides and all those big knobs must be relevant...but then what's an icosahedron for? Edited January 21 by John Conduitt 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwarf Posted January 21 · Member Share Posted January 21 I favour the scientific theory of being an ancient spool knitting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spool_knitting Just because it is as stupid a theory as any other one regards Klaus 3 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theoderic Posted January 21 · Member Share Posted January 21 Anytime I see the word dodecahedron (and how seldom is that?) I always think of the old Simpsons episode where Lisa is trying to teach little sister Maggie her first word: 1 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis JJ Posted January 21 · Supporter Share Posted January 21 Oh, also I just remembered I have one! But it's one of the really small ones: 12mm, 5.92g. According to "mainstream scholars" like Hendin (GBC2, W-24) or Goodwin (2012) this would be a so-called "scale weight" from the Byzantine/Islamic-period Levant. BUT... as an avid watcher of History Channel, I've learned to challenge Big Archaeology and trust my gut when it comes to wild theories and supposition about antiquity... "Researchers theorize that this object could in fact be a child's miniature Dodecahedron toy model. What if this tiny child's toy is the key to re-discovering the lost ancient knowledge about extraterrestrial civilizations? "Did Roman children place toy Dodecahedrons atop tiny models of the Great Pyramid of Giza? And pretend to communicate with the gods? Who were, in fact, flesh-and-blood interstellar visitors?" I'm more skeptical of the theory that this actually was a full-sized Dodecahedron but used by very tiny people. 7 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted January 22 · Supporter Share Posted January 22 1 hour ago, Theoderic said: Anytime I see the word dodecahedron (and how seldom is that?) I always think of the old Simpsons episode where Lisa is trying to teach little sister Maggie her first word: My son was into dinosaurs when learning to speak so I tried to get him to name them. It was interesting having a two year old going around saying parasaurolophus. 2 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dafydd Posted January 28 · Supporter Author Share Posted January 28 Here is the continuum from last weeks Times editorial. The first respondents suggestion is so practical and likely, insofar that fire would be revered to keep you alive, gets my vote. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dafydd Posted January 28 · Supporter Author Share Posted January 28 As an aside, forensic examination may prove carbonisation proving, or disproving his theory. That is the first thing I would do. Scent would be long gone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted January 28 · Supporter Share Posted January 28 8 minutes ago, Dafydd said: As an aside, forensic examination may prove carbonisation proving, or disproving his theory. That is the first thing I would do. Scent would be long gone. Yes if it was a firelighter, you’d have left it in the fire. You wouldn’t want to touch a metal cage with burning straw inside. It would then at least be scorched, if not melted. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted January 28 · Member Share Posted January 28 (edited) One gemstone that is commonly seen in the natural form of a dodecahedron is the garnet, like the grossular garnet pictured below from Mexico 😲. Edited January 28 by Al Kowsky 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edessa Posted February 1 · Supporter Share Posted February 1 For all of you serious minded scholars that might have missed this... 1 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dafydd Posted February 1 · Supporter Author Share Posted February 1 20 hours ago, Edessa said: For all of you serious minded scholars that might have missed this... Well spotted !! What have the Roman's done for us? 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silbannacus Posted March 23 · Member Share Posted March 23 Showed up for the coins. Signed up because of this thread. 3 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dafydd Posted March 28 · Supporter Author Share Posted March 28 Welcome @Silbannacus you will find we are an eclectic bunch and I have found members really helpful and erudite when I ask for assistance 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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