In June of last year, a team of amateur archaeologists in England stumbled upon a remarkable discovery during the second-to-last day of their excavation—a mysterious ancient artifact known as a dodecahedron, potentially at a Roman site.

This circular copper alloy object, falling in size between a golf ball and a grapefruit, is characterized by its 12-sided structure featuring various holes and knobs.

Despite over 100 such dodecahedra being unearthed across Europe, their exact function remains elusive, labeling them as one of “archaeology’s great enigmas,” according to the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group, the organization behind the discovery.

The ambiguity surrounding the dodecahedron arises from the absence of known visual or written descriptions in Roman literature, NPR reported.

Lorena Hitchens, a doctoral student in the U.K. studying Roman dodecahedra, notes that numerous unproven theories exist regarding their use, ranging from gauges, rangefinders, candlesticks, and gaming dice to knitting gloves.

However, she highlights that none of these theories find support in existing evidence.

This recent discovery stands out not only because the object was found fully intact and in excellent condition but also because it represents the sole example unearthed in the central region of England known as the Midlands.

Unlike many dodecahedra found in fragments, this particular artifact remains whole.

Written by B.C. Begley