Latest news with #MichaelGuggenberger
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Bizarre 12-sided object dating to Roman Empire baffles scientists: ‘A cosmic symbol'
There are many sides to this story. Scientists remain baffled over a mysterious 12-sided bronze object dating back to the Roman Empire — theorizing it could be anything from a candle holder to a 'cosmic symbol.' The first Roman dodecahedron was discovered in 1739 in the English Midlands. Since then,120 of the geometric enigmas have been unearthed from the former Northwestern Provinces of the Roman Empire, with scientists noting that all of the specimens date back to the late second and fourth centuries, Live Science reported. Classical archaeologist Michael Guggenberger, who has published several studies on the objects, described them in a 2000 study as a pentagonal dodecahedron, which is created when 12 pentagons form surfaces of the hollow object, intersecting at 20 different corners. Meanwhile, each pentagonal face has a hole of a varying size while each corner is studded with a ball, like an ancient model of a viral pathogen. The multifaceted anomalies range in size from a golf ball to the size of a grapefruit, as was the case with a dodecahedron that was exhumed in Norton Disney, Lincolnshire, during the summer of 2023, Smithsonian magazine reported. Richard Parker, secretary of the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, told the outlet that the metal artifact was in 'excellent condition — considering it's been buried for 1,700 years — and complete with no damage.' Despite the treasure trove of evidence, scientists remain no closer to pinpointing the purpose of the mysterious object. 'Nobody knows for certain how the Romans used them,' wrote Smithsonian in 2023. Interestingly, the objects were discovered in countries ranging from Austria to France and Luxembourg –but not Italy — leading Guggenberger to postulate that they could be traced back to the Celtic tribes of the Roman Empire. The dodecahedrons have been found everywhere from men's and women's graves to trash piles, further complicating the search for an explanation as to their function. As the baubles aren't depicted in ancient art, there is no historical record of their origin or use. So far, researchers have floated 50 different theories regarding their purposes, suggesting that they could be weapons, range finders, candlestick holders or even dice. However, many researchers believe that the objects' ornate design and their relatively pristine condition demonstrate that they were no run-of-the-mill implement. 'A huge amount of time, energy and skill was taken to create our dodecahedron, so it was not used for mundane purposes,' wrote the Norton Disney group. 'They are not of a standard size, so will not be measuring devices. They don't show signs of wear, so they are not a tool.' Guggenberger believed that the dodecahedron occupied a more symbolic role related to the theories of Greek philosophers such as Plato and Pythagoras. In Platonic-Pythagorean symbolism, four solid shapes corresponded with four elements — tetrahedrons with fire, octahedrons with air, icosahedrons with water, and hexahedrons with earth — while 'the dodecahedron served as an all-encompassing symbol representing the universe,' Guggenberger said. A breakthrough possibility emerged in 1966, when scientists discovered a dodecahedron next to a rod-shaped bone artifact in a woman's grave in Germany. That suggested the dodecahedron could have adorned it like a staff or symbolic scepter for use in Druidic rituals. Guggenberger theorized that, for now, the most likely interpretation of the dodecahedron is 'as a cosmic, all-encompassing symbol' with 'a function comparable to an amulet.'
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Roman dodecahedron: A mysterious 12-sided object that has baffled archaeologists for centuries
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Name: Roman dodecahedron What it is: A 12-sided bronze object Where it is from: Northwestern provinces of the Roman Empire When it was made: Second to fourth centuries A.D. Related: Penguin Vessel: 1,600-year-old Nazca depiction of a cold-water Humboldt penguin that lives in tropical Peru What it tells us about the past: Roman dodecahedrons have baffled archaeologists since 1739, when the first example of the 12-sided bronze object was discovered in the English Midlands. For nearly three centuries, experts and hobbyists have put forth dozens of theories as to why people treasured these items — but their purpose has never been confirmed. At least 120 examples of dodecahedrons have been discovered across the northwestern provinces of the Roman Empire. All date to the late second to late fourth centuries, and their general appearance is the same, according to classical archaeologist Michael Guggenberger, who has published several studies on the objects. In a 2000 study, Guggenberger wrote that the basic shape is a regular or pentagonal dodecahedron: 12 pentagons form the faces of the hollow shape, and they meet at 20 corners. Each corner of a Roman dodecahedron is topped with a small sphere, and each pentagonal face has a hole of varying diameter. The dodecahedrons range from 1.6 to 3.9 inches (4 to 10 centimeters) tall and weigh 1 to 20 ounces (30 to 580 grams), with exceptionally thin walls. No writing has been found on any dodecahedron. Because these dodecahedrons have been found in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland — but not in Italy — Guggenberger views them as "Gallo-Roman products" with a possible origin in the Celtic tribes of the Roman Empire. But there are no historical records or depictions of them in ancient art, so the origin and purpose of the dodecahedrons have been lost. Archaeologists have recovered dodecahedrons from the graves of men and women, in coin hoards and even in refuse heaps, so a blanket explanation for their use has not been found. But many researchers have attempted to solve the puzzle, suggesting that dodecahedrons may have been used as weapons, decorations, candlestick holders, range finders, measurement devices, children's toys, dice, craftsman's samples or spools for knitting gloves. Of the 50 or more theories, Guggenberger wrote, most can now be ruled out or considered highly improbable. The primary explanation he favors is symbolic, with a connection to the philosophy of ancient Greek thinkers Plato and Pythagoras. In Platonic-Pythagorean symbolism, four solid shapes were associated with four elements — tetrahedrons with fire, octahedrons with air, icosahedrons with water, and hexahedrons with earth. And, as the fifth regular solid, "the dodecahedron served as an all-encompassing symbol representing the universe," Guggenberger wrote in a 2013 study. In the second century A.D., thinkers like Plutarch resurrected the earlier idea of the dodecahedron as a symbolic connection to the heavens and the universe, Guggenberger wrote, and that may have influenced Celtic peoples in the Roman Empire. MORE ASTONISHING ARTIFACTS —Monomachos Crown: The 1,000-year-old crown honoring 'the one who fights alone' found by a farmer in a field —Assyrian swimmers: 2,900-year-old carving of soldiers using inflatable goat skins to cross a river —Tarkhan Dress: World's oldest known outfit was worn to an ancient Egyptian funeral 5,000 years ago But one particular grave with a dodecahedron may hold a key clue to its use, Guggenberger noted in the 2000 study. Discovered in a woman's grave in Germany in 1966, the Gellep dodecahedron was located directly next to a rod-shaped bone artifact, suggesting it may have been a staff for mounting the mysterious object to create a symbolic scepter. And given the Celtic background for the object, this may link it to Druidic traditions. "For the time being, the most likely interpretation of the dodecahedron is as a cosmic, all-encompassing symbol," Guggenberger wrote, with "a function comparable to an amulet."
New York Post
14-07-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Bizarre 12-sided object dating to Roman Empire baffles scientists: ‘A cosmic symbol'
There are many sides to this story. Scientists remain baffled over a mysterious 12-sided bronze object dating back to the Roman Empire — theorizing it could be everything from a candle holder to a 'cosmic symbol.' The first Roman dodecahedron was discovered in 1739 in the English Midlands. Since then,120 of the geometric enigmas have been unearthed from the former Northwestern Provinces of the Roman Empire with scientists noting that all of the specimens date back to the late second and fourth centuries, Live Science reported. Classical archaeologist Michael Guggenberger, who has published several studies on the objects, described them in a 2000 study as a pentagonal dodecahedron, which is created when 12 pentagons form surfaces of the hollow object, intersecting at 20 different corners. 4 A dodecahedron is shown at the National Civil War Centre in Newark, UK. 'Nobody knows for certain how the Romans used them,' wrote Smithsonian magazine. Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group Meanwhile, each pentagonal face has a hole of a varying size while each corner is studded with a ball, like an ancient model of a viral pathogen. The multifaceted anomalies range in size from a golf ball to the size of a grapefruit, as was the case with a dodecahedron that was exhumed in Norton Disney, Lincolnshire, during the summer of 2023, Smithsonian magazine reported. Richard Parker, secretary of the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, told the outlet that the metal artifact was in 'excellent condition — considering it's been buried for 1,700 years — and complete with no damage.' Despite the treasure trove of evidence, scientists remain no closer to pinpointing the purpose of the mysterious object. 'Nobody knows for certain how the Romans used them,' wrote Smithsonian in 2023. 4 Scientists remain baffled over a mysterious 12-sided bronze object dating back to the Roman Empire — theorizing it could be everything from a candle holder to a 'cosmic symbol.' Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group 4 A dodecahedron that was unearthed during a two-week dig by a volunteer group in the village of Norton Disney. Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group Interestingly, the objects were discovered in countries ranging from Austria to France and Luxembourg –but not Italy — leading Guggenberger to postulate that they could be traced back to the Celtic tribes of the Roman Empire. The dodecahedrons have been found everywhere from men's and women's graves to trash piles, further complicating the search for an explanation as to their function. As the baubles aren't depicted in ancient art, there is no historical record of their origin or use. So far, researchers have floated 50 different theories regarding their purposes, suggesting that they could be weapons, range finders, candlestick holders or even dice. 4 The Norton Disney dodecahedron has been on display at different institutions since 2024. Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group However, many researchers believe that the objects' ornate design and their relatively pristine condition demonstrate that they were no run-of-the-mill implement. 'A huge amount of time, energy and skill was taken to create our dodecahedron, so it was not used for mundane purposes,' wrote the Norton Disney group. 'They are not of a standard size, so will not be measuring devices. They don't show signs of wear, so they are not a tool.' Guggenberger believed that the dodecahedron occupied a more symbolic role related to the theories of Greek philosophers such as Plato and Pythagoras. In Platonic-Pythagorean symbolism, four solid shapes corresponded with four elements — tetrahedrons with fire, octahedrons with air, icosahedrons with water, and hexahedrons with earth — while 'the dodecahedron served as an all-encompassing symbol representing the universe,' Guggenberger said. A breakthrough possibility emerged in 1966, when scientists discovered a dodecahedron next to a rod-shaped bone artifact in a woman's grave in Germany. That suggested the dodecahedron could have adorned it like a staff or symbolic scepter for use in Druidic rituals. Guggenberger theorized that, for now, the most likely interpretation of the dodecahedron is 'as a cosmic, all-encompassing symbol' with 'a function comparable to an amulet.'
