#531 Greg Francisco--The Mystery of the Roman Dodecahedron Solved? Half day Sunday pm $50

#531  Greg Francisco--The Mystery of the Roman Dodecahedron Solved?  Half day Sunday 1-4pm Bldg 10 North $50

Skill level:  Beginner

Workshop Description: Learn to make Viking Knit braids using a Roman Dodecahedron...A dodecahedron is a 12 sided shape, each face being a pentagon. A Roman Dodecahedron has the added feature of a knob at the 5 corners of each face. Fewer than 200 Roman Dodecahedrons have been found at dig sites scattered around today's Great Britain and northern Europe. And no one knows what they are or what they were used for.

The Romans left an extensive written record on everything. Agricultural almanacs, natural histories, commercial inventories, personal diaries, the list is endless. But on the subject of Roman Dodecahedrons there is absolute silence. The Romans left us not a single written word. Based on the fact they were made of bronze—an expensive alloy—and are most often found on military sites but also commonly associated with gold hoards, Roman Dodecahedrons were obviously valued but beyond that they're a mystery.

There are several theories as to how they were used. Among the speculations are; keys to decipher coded secret messages, as land surveying tools or used to calculate ballistic trajectories for trebuchets. Another common theory is they were used to individually weave fingers for gloves which were then attached to palms to complete the project. None of these hypotheses really stand up to scrutiny.

Recently a fiber artist and knitter in Massachusetts came up with a promising theory. She believes Roman Dodecahedrons were tools used for Viking Knitting. Viking Knitting refers to intricate, tightly woven gold wire braids, commonly seen in necklace chokers and bracelets. That would explain why they are so frequently found with gold hoards. She very well may solved the mystery.

In this class students will have an opportunity to learn how to use a Roman Dodecahedon to make Viking Knit braids. Fourteen carat gold wire is just a bit too pricey for our class so we'll be using golden colored aluminum wire and waxed sail-twine instead. Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice several designs. At the end of the class students may purchase a Roman Dodecahedron of their own.

Students should bring: NA

Homework:  None

Material Fee: $5  includes Sail-twine, aluminum wire, use of a Roman Dodecahedron (students may purchase a Roman Dodecahedron to take home for $25)

Class Limit:  12