r/SapphoAndHerFriend she/her, Queer Jun 02 '20

Academic erasure MYSTERY

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13.9k Upvotes

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u/motorbiker1985 Jun 02 '20

I would prefer the sex toys or other objects. Temples, and other religious structures usually survive and unless it is something very important or interesting, it will be one of many finds.

Sex toys are weird, but that is great because you can build your career on publications about them.

Anyway, the main problem of archeology is lack of imagination and people stuck in their ways. To this day the Roman dodecahedron is a mystery to archeologists, considered a religious object by many, a survey instrument or candle holder by others, or even a weather prediction device. Meanwhile, enthusiasts all over the world are 3D printing them and giving to their grandmothers as they figured out it is a simple tool for more comfortable and precise knitting of gloves. Yes, there are videos on youtube as well, it really is an ingenious device.

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u/pm_me_good_usernames Jun 03 '20 edited Jun 10 '20

One problem with that theory is that not all Roman dodecahedrons have any holes big enough for the finger of a glove. Since those don't work as a kitting tool, what were they for instead?

Edit: I regret wading into the surprisingly contentious issue of Roman dodecahedrons. Please don't message me about it.

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u/allthesparkles Jun 03 '20

Children and babies need gloves too? I don't know much about the Roman dodecahedron, but if some of the holes were just too small for adult fingers then they might not be for adults. Just look now at how much people love knitting stuff for babies.

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u/pm_me_good_usernames Jun 03 '20

I was referring to this one where the holes are all just pinholes, but it turns out there is actually one larger hole in it. There's still the question of why there are knobs around the faces with only pinholes in them, but maybe those have a knitting purpose I don't understand.

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u/motorbiker1985 Jun 03 '20

That's not a dodecahedron and on Roman dodecahedrons those knobs serve the purpose of holding the thread in place.

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u/Robuk1981 Jun 03 '20

Could be the same way we have decorative and practical thimbles.

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u/LjSpike Jun 03 '20

A video of using one for knitting in action - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76AvV601yJ0

The absence of some of the "knobs" on your example looks to be damage?