Thomas de Groot <tho### [at] degrootorg> wrote:

"A ritualistic purpose seems indicated."

"it is completely unknown what the object represented or was used for, or in
> what context, religious or other."

I always find these ritual/religious explanations tiresome - Look around the
modern world, and try to even count the number of knick-knacks, baubles,
bric-a-brac, curios, ornaments, souvenirs, and trinkets people buy and
accumulate - all of which have zero ritualistic or religious purpose or meaning.

It could have been a _designer_ dodecahedron that was very trendy, and only the
wealthiest could afford then, to flaunt their status.

If it was found with hordes, maybe the holes were used to measure coins to
detect coin-shaving.  I have solid state electronic scales and an electronic
device to test the purity and composition of gold and silver alloys.  None of
which make any sense to a future civilization once the batteries were long gone.
Granted, the alloy tester is $1000, but the scale is a cheapo mass-market thing
that has no real inherent value, but is only used in proximity to coins, etc.

Maybe it was tabletop sign, to indicate membership in a trade guild.

Maybe it was a tip jar.  :D

It could be an ancient "Challenge Coin" and the holes were to hold shotglasses.
Maybe it held incense or pencils or quills.

Perhaps it's a loupe, and the glass lenses are long gone.  The knobs at the
vertices held the device the proper distance from the surface being observed.

Maybe it's a 12-sided die, and was used for gambling.

Maybe it was used by scammers to do zodiac astrological fortune telling.

Perhaps it held an oil lamp, either for illumination, or as a distant forerunner
of the USB coffee mug heater.  Or a camp stove.

Maybe it's a mandrel or a template for assembling something - perhaps with cord,
and the holes are for aligning the loops of the developing knots.

It could be a neckerchief slide or similar fastening device.

Has anyone blown into it?  Maybe it's a whistle.




Perhaps we can only know its true purpose once it's been rendered sufficiently.

CSG-Dodecahedron challenge!  Now for a cool Roman render rig as a backdrop!

- BW

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