The Norton Disney Dodecahedron

We found a fantastic example of a “Gallo Roman Dodecahedron” in June 2023  One of archaeology’s great enigmas. It was found in trench 4 on our 2023 “dig” by one of our volunteers. Trench 4 had only been opened in the last few days of the excavation. No metal detector was used when it was found. As we had to close the trench shortly afterwards we needed to return in 2024 to better understand the context of this find

There are about 32 known examples, either whole or in parts in Roman Britain. The Norton Disney example now makes 33. There are roughly 130 known examples across the Roman world. All of which are found in north west Roman provinces. The Norton Disney dodecahedron is the only example found in the Midlands and is a particularly fine example. It is well cast, complete with no damage and in an excellent condition. It is an example of very fine craftsmanship, finished to a high standard.

It is a copper alloy object. 75% copper, 7% tin and 18 % lead. 

It is also an important find in that it was found “in situ”, where it was deliberately placed some 1700 years before with 4th century Roman pottery in some sort of excavated hole or quarry pit. The context of which will need more archaeological excavation to clarify in 2025.

There are no known descriptions of dodecahedra in Roman literature and therefore their purpose remains extremely unclear. 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. Nor are they devices for knitting. A huge amount of time, energy and skill was taken to create our dodecahedron, so it was not used for mundane purposes, especially when alternative materials are available that would achieve the same purpose. The most likely use we think is for ritual and religious purposes.

It is known that near the site a mounted horseman deity, the “Norton Disney Rider God”  was found by metal detectorists in 1989. This example is now in the British Museum.

Roman society was full of superstition, something experienced on a daily basis. A potential link with local religious practice is our current working theory. More investigation is required though.

Trench 4 where the dodecahedron was found was only partly excavated in 2023 due to time and financial constraints. The group secured permission to return in 2024 and resumed excavation to see if it’s possible to find more information to clarify the circumstances of the deposition. It seems that the dodecahedron had been found within a quarry pit for sand. The fill of the trench once backfilled contained bone, ceramic building material and 3rd century pottery. That work  of understanding the context better is going to continue in 2025. Especially as we found enough ceramic building material to suggest it seems not to have not come from the Norton Disney Roman Villa. So where did it come from? Consequently before we get on site this year a lot of work will have already been carried out to plan where to excavate next to better understand the context of our 2023 find.

We are aware of a concern about the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) Record. The Norton Disney dodecahedron was not a detectorist find. It was found during a professionally supervised excavation. Please note the group does not make entries into PAS and none of the images and data  came from the group itself. Please refer to PAS if you have any questions.

The Norton Disney group is entirely funded by grants and donations.  The group is not subject to any kind of contract or agreement relating to the commercial value of the find.  Nor does the landowner, who is the owner intend selling the Norton Disney Dodecahedron. Their wish is for it to remain on public display in a museum. Nor are we or the landowner ever going to sell 3D models of the find or seek to profit in any way.