Museum-grade Roman dodecahedron replica (100–400 AD)

10.5 cm, museum-grade 1:1 replica • Made in the USA • Photos + video • Contact or buy via Etsy/eBay

Museum-grade 1:1 Roman dodecahedron replica (10.5 cm), hand-finished and matched to an original northwest European find with precisely paired opposing hole sizes across all 12 faces.

Roman dodecahedron replica (10.5 cm) — hero view with museum-style display tag

What a Roman dodecahedron is

This is a precise, museum-grade 1:1 replica of a Roman dodecahedron discovered in northwest Europe, dated to roughly 100–400 AD. It is 10.5 cm from point to point, placing it among the larger examples known.

Roman dodecahedra are among the most persistent archaeological puzzles: a hollow twelve-faced object with circular openings of different diameters on each face and small knobs on the vertices. More than 300 examples have been found—primarily across northwest Europe—yet there is no surviving written description of what they were for.

Why the geometry matters

The opposing holes on the 12 co-planar faces are matched precisely to the original. That detail is not cosmetic—many hypotheses depend on hole diameter, proportionality, and spacing. If you’re experimenting with range-finding, sighting, calendrical ideas (including moon-phase concepts), or other measurement theories, scale errors make the exercise meaningless. This replica is intentionally full-size where many market copies are undersized.

The mystery and the leading theories

The original purpose remains unknown. Some finds appear in contexts that invite practical theories: association with coin hoards has suggested counting, sizing, or sorting; association with surveying gear has suggested navigation or range-finding. Other theories are more domestic (such as a candle holder, supported by wax residues on some originals) and others are more speculative (knitting tool, sundial, occult object, or even a toy). The debate persists because no single theory accounts cleanly for all dimensions, contexts, and regional patterns.

If you want a quick overview video, search: History Channel Mystery of the Roman Dodecahedron.

Construction, finish, and included museum tag

This piece is shaped and detailed by hand using an extremely hard, water-impervious wax over a water-tight latticed acrylic, then finished with a water-tight coating. The finish provides a controlled grip to the fingertips, aiming for a tactile feel closer to the handled artifact. A museum-style display tag is included, and the replica is designed as a display/research stand-in rather than a toy. Made in the USA.

Roman dodecahedron replica — front view with museum-style display tag Roman dodecahedron replica — centered face view showing hole diameter and vertex knobs with display tag Roman dodecahedron replica — handheld close-up showing depth, edge bevels, and surface patina finish Roman dodecahedron replica — handheld top view emphasizing rim geometry and vertex knobs Roman dodecahedron replica — handheld angled view showing multiple face openings and patina detail Roman dodecahedron replica — macro close-up of face opening and concentric tooling detail Roman dodecahedron replica — display tag close-up (museum label) with object partially in frame Roman dodecahedron replica — three-quarter view showing multiple hole sizes across adjacent faces Roman dodecahedron replica — handheld view highlighting one face opening and vertex knob alignment Roman dodecahedron replica — measurement photo with ruler showing face-to-face scale and hole alignment Roman dodecahedron replica — measurement photo with ruler indicating overall size and proportions Roman dodecahedron replica — weight reference photo on digital scale Roman dodecahedron replica — tabletop display with museum-style label, alternate lighting Roman dodecahedron replica — Collage 1 of 4 of found dodecahedra Roman dodecahedron replica — Collage 2 of 4 of found dodecahedra Roman dodecahedron replica — Collage 3 of 4 of found dodecahedra Roman dodecahedron replica — Collage 4 of 4 of found dodecahedra