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The Roman Ball of Mystery That’s Still Befuddling Researchers
Intelligent Fly ^ | 09/24/2026 | Unattributed

Posted on 09/25/2026 3:02:04 AM PDT by Adder

We all have that one mysterious object in our kitchen drawer that we’ve kept because it looks “important.” You don’t really know what it attaches to or what it does exactly, and, of course, nobody in the house remembers buying it. But throwing it away feels like a decision you’ll somehow regret, so it just continues to sit in the drawer, eminating mystery.

This is basically the same feeling archeologists and historians have when looking at the Roman dodecahedron. It’s a little metal object from Ancient Rome, and it’s so simple with so many deliberate features that you expect an explanation any minute now. Some people think this little twelve-sided wonder was used for simple mechanical tasks like knitting, and then some believe it was even more advanced, perhaps being used to work with complicated math ratios.

And who knows, maybe it was used to communicate with extraterrestials. At this point, it’s anyone’s guess.

(Excerpt) Read more at intelligentfly.news ...


TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: dodecahedron; godsgravesglyphs; knitting; romanempire

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Not for knitting gloves?

So not for the arts and craft crowd...necessarily.

Good. The world needs a few harmless mysteries.

1 posted on 09/25/2026 3:02:04 AM PDT by Adder
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To: Adder; SunkenCiv
But until we can time travel, it seems we’re left just turning the ol’ dodecahedron over and over, hoping the next angle will reveal something earth-shattering.

And Bob's your uncle?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidget_toy

2 posted on 09/25/2026 3:10:22 AM PDT by Ezekiel (🆘️ "Come fly with US". 🔴 Ingenuity -- because the Son of David begins with MARS ♂️, aka every man)
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To: Ezekiel; SunkenCiv

Happy Fun Ball - Wikipedia https://share.google/Qe9rpeHdfXZxS6zhO


3 posted on 09/25/2026 3:13:03 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait.)
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To: Larry Lucido; SunkenCiv

🔴 The morning Sun is shining like a red rubber ball.🎵

(Do not taunt.)


4 posted on 09/25/2026 3:15:46 AM PDT by Ezekiel (🆘️ "Come fly with US". 🔴 Ingenuity -- because the Son of David begins with MARS ♂️, aka every man)
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To: Adder

It’s also entirely possible that this was a simple kids toy… made that ancient Roman toy company Maximus Funiculus Mattelus… or Hasbrosious…


5 posted on 09/25/2026 3:19:24 AM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary )
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To: NFHale

It’s also entirely possible that this was a simple kids toy… made that ancient Roman toy company Maximus Funiculus Mattelus… or Hasbrosious…


Probably Marxus...


6 posted on 09/25/2026 4:01:03 AM PDT by Prov1322 (Enjoy my wife's incredible artwork at www.watercolorARTwork.com! (This space no longer for rent))
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To: Prov1322

…or maybe even Wham-Oceanus…😂

Damn, you’re good… 😂😂


7 posted on 09/25/2026 4:06:34 AM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary )
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To: Adder

8 posted on 09/25/2026 4:11:57 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Some people want to control their own life, others want to control the lives of others. )
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To: Adder

Wait till aliens folks dig up all the various fidget widgets 😂😂😂😂

Notice how most things that are not understood are given the “must be a religious object “ tag🤔


9 posted on 09/25/2026 4:20:09 AM PDT by blitz128
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To: Prov1322

Bigus di…., nevermind😂


10 posted on 09/25/2026 4:21:41 AM PDT by blitz128
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To: blitz128

The Rubik’s Cube will really have them going!


11 posted on 09/25/2026 4:31:10 AM PDT by Empire_of_Liberty
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To: Adder

I think the dude on the left knows, but he’s not talking.


12 posted on 09/25/2026 4:31:38 AM PDT by BobL (Trusting one's doctor is the #1 health mistake one can make.)
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To: Adder

It is fascinating that this object is so duplicated.

I am surprised that the variation in diameter of the holes is of so little interest.


13 posted on 09/25/2026 4:44:36 AM PDT by Empire_of_Liberty
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To: blitz128

I think you’re on something. The dodecahedron with its various size holes could be a gauge of you know, your equipment.


14 posted on 09/25/2026 4:47:26 AM PDT by omni-scientist
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To: Adder

I thought they figured out that it’s for making cordage. Many people/places would need it, which explans why it was ubiquitous.


15 posted on 09/25/2026 4:58:03 AM PDT by Farmerbob
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To: Adder

I’m impressed with how precise they are made. How were the panels welded together so smoothly?


16 posted on 09/25/2026 4:58:22 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco
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To: omni-scientist

Best theory I’ve seen is that it is used in building, as a surveyors tool for making measurement over distance.

There’s a YT about using it for building camps, roads and the like.


17 posted on 09/25/2026 5:22:33 AM PDT by texas booster (Join FreeRepublic's Folding@Home team (Team # 36120) Cure Alzheimer's!)
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To: Adder

For figuring out how much spaghetti you need to cook, of course.

Big hole, five servings

Little hole two.

(Yes, I know pasta was later. Itsa joke, Mario.)


18 posted on 09/25/2026 5:28:09 AM PDT by TheThirdRuffian (Orange is the new brown)
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To: omni-scientist

Perhaps it could be used as a Go / No-Go gauge for coins?

Or an armorer’s tool for attaching a spear shaft and head?


19 posted on 09/25/2026 5:45:41 AM PDT by Empire_of_Liberty
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To: Adder

It’s a tool women used to size up her man.


20 posted on 09/25/2026 5:46:06 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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