Mysterious Roman Dodecahedron to Go on Display in Lincoln

The Norton Disney dodecahedron. Only 33 of these mysterious objects have been found in the UK. Photograph: Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group
The Norton Disney dodecahedron. Only 33 of these mysterious objects have been found in the UK. Photograph: Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group
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Mysterious Roman Dodecahedron to Go on Display in Lincoln

The Norton Disney dodecahedron. Only 33 of these mysterious objects have been found in the UK. Photograph: Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group
The Norton Disney dodecahedron. Only 33 of these mysterious objects have been found in the UK. Photograph: Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group

They are known as one of archaeology’s great enigmas – hollow 12-sided objects from the Roman era with no known purpose or use.

Only 33 of these mysterious dodecahedrons have ever been found in Britain and now one, unearthed during an amateur archaeology dig after 1,700 years underground, is going on public display in Lincoln as part of a history festival.

Found in Norton Disney, near Lincoln, in the summer of 2023, the artefact is one of the largest of its kind ever found, measuring 8cm tall and weighing 254g.

Its excavation was particularly important as it was found where it was placed 1,700 years ago, meaning the site could hold clues as to its purpose. Only three other examples of dodecahedra have been found on archaeological excavations.

Richard Parker, the secretary of the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, which found the item, said historians were no closer to finding out what these objects were despite extensive research.

“The imagination races when thinking about what the Romans may have used it for. Magic, rituals or religion – we perhaps may never know,” he told the BBC.

There are no known descriptions or drawings of dodecahedra in Roman literature, making their purpose unclear.

The Norton Disney group said the objects were not of a standard size so were not measuring devices, and they did not show signs of wear so they were not used as tools.

It added that “a huge amount of time, energy and skill was taken to create our dodecahedron, so it was not used for mundane purposes”.

The Norton Disney dodecahedron, made of a copper alloy, is the only example found in the Midlands. It is in excellent condition, with no damage, and finished to a high standard.

Parker said it was found on the top of a hill in a former large pit of some kind and seemed to be deliberately placed there.

The amateur archaeologists who uncovered the object plan to return to the site this summer to try to uncover more clues as to why it was there.

The group was able to only partly excavate the trench where it was found in 2023, along with some fourth-century Roman pottery, owing to time and financial constraints, with the dodecahedron found on the penultimate day of the dig.

They have secured permission to return in 2024 and resume excavation, relying entirely on donations to fund their work.

The Norton Disney dodecahedron has been on display in the National Civil War Centre at Newark Museum in Nottinghamshire, and from Saturday it will be at Lincoln Museum as part of the city’s Festival of History.



That Water Bottle You're Carrying Says a Lot More than 'Hydration'

A selection of Lifestyle WD water bottles featuring animals are displayed at the Ambiente homewares trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany in Feb. 2025. (Kim Cook via AP)
A selection of Lifestyle WD water bottles featuring animals are displayed at the Ambiente homewares trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany in Feb. 2025. (Kim Cook via AP)
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That Water Bottle You're Carrying Says a Lot More than 'Hydration'

A selection of Lifestyle WD water bottles featuring animals are displayed at the Ambiente homewares trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany in Feb. 2025. (Kim Cook via AP)
A selection of Lifestyle WD water bottles featuring animals are displayed at the Ambiente homewares trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany in Feb. 2025. (Kim Cook via AP)

If you like to stay hydrated no matter where you go, chances are you´ve got a reusable water bottle or two. Or 10. (The collectors know who they are.)

Whether you´re a tech enthusiast, fashion trendsetter, hiker, commuter or just an eco-conscious consumer, there´s a bottle out there for you. There are bottles that sterilize themselves. Bottles that remind you when to drink. Bottles designed for sustainability. And bottles transformed by a paintbox of colors and imagery into mini artworks.

Hydration´s become more than a necessity. It´s got a personality.

Kit Dillon, a writer for Wirecutter, says four things make a good water bottle: "It´s the right size. It´s leakproof. It feels good. It insulates well."

Which one works for you depends on what you use it for, he says. Eva Bleyer, who tests kitchen appliances for the Good Housekeeping Institute, agrees.

Some people go for a favorite sipping straw while others value a comfortable carrying handle. For collectors, social media feeds light up with the launch of new colors and patterns, The AP news reported.
"While I can confidently recommend which ones performed best in our tests, choosing the right water bottle is incredibly personal," she says.

It´s all a far cry from the mundane mugs of yesteryear.

An early maker of light, plastic water bottles was Nalge, in Rochester, New York, which found that the unbreakable containers it was making for science laboratories in the ´60s were being used by employees on backpacking trips. The Nalgene reusable water bottle soon went on the market.

Hundreds of plastic and bioplastic versions from various makers have been joined over the decades by stainless steel and aluminum versions, with as many iterations of the lids - straws, screw-ons, flip-ups.

The tech keeps evolving, says Bleyer. "I´ve seen and tested everything from filtering water bottles to the Air Up, which uses flavor pods to enhance the taste, as well as newer options that carbonate your water or track your sips."

Some examples:

Self-cleaning bottles could be helpful in countries or wilderness areas where water quality is questionable. Philips' GoZero UV Self-Cleaning Smart Water Bottle got top ratings in Men´s Health magazine´s testing lab for self-cleaning bottles. Its month-long battery life might make it useful for off-grid camping or trekking. LED technology automatically sanitizes the bottle every two hours, or whenever you push the cap button.

The LARQ PureVis 2 is another self-cleaning water bottle. The company says the plant-based filter in the lid removes chlorine, forever chemicals (PFAS) and bacteria. The bottle also tracks your consumption. It´s made it into the Museum of Modern Art´s design store and is part of their spring new product collection.

The HidrateSpark Pro comes with a Bluetooth tracker to keep you updated on consumption, based on your age, weight, activity level and other factors you code into the app.

Low tech but reliable: Wirecutter has put the Hydro Flask on their "best" list since they started testing water bottles in 2014, citing simple yet dependable features like good insulation, sturdy steel construction, wide or narrow mouth options, and dishwasher-cleanability.

New color and design drops generate the kind of buzz that fashion drops get. Owala´s FreeSip bottles usually go for about $25-$40, but limited-edition designs can sell in the $400 range. A Valentine´s Day pattern, and a St. Patrick´s Day pattern called "Clover the Rainbow" that was released on leap day 2024 (Feb. 29) are now on eBay for over $200.

S'well has collaborated with illustrator Steffi Lynn, known for her cheery, youthful prints and murals that feature upbeat messages like "What´s the Best That Could Happen?" and "Have a Nice Day," and also with Crayola for a series of bottles that look like giant crayons. New patterns for the brand include a deep, moody floral called Midnight Botanical.

S´well also offers customization, perhaps for an event, team or a gift for a special someone.

Italian company YouBottles did a collab with Banksy; the artist´s "Girl with Balloon" and "Flower Thrower" murals are a couple of the patterns.

Color trend giant Pantone has its own collection of BPA-free bottles in eight vibrant colors, including aubergine, red, yellow and greenery.

Snazzy carry bags for your water bottle include insulated ones that keep the drink cold or hot. PackIt has one with a crossbody strap in sturdy nylon. Versions come in sunflower or starry-night prints, and feature a phone pouch attachment.

WanderFull´s bag has made "Oprah´s Favorite Things" list twice. The bag, available in colorful puffer-coat fabric, comes with a nylon crossbody strap. There´s a vegan leather version as well, with an additional chain strap for dressier occasions.