A Functional Reassessment of Roman Dodecahedra as Tools for Forming Standardised Wax Objects

Greg Lamb, 2026. EXARC Journal 2026/2.

Experimental trials with a 3D-printed replica about 65 mm across, forming wax and beeswax-resin tokens around a cord; argues the knobs act as depth stops and the holes allow release.

Gallo-Roman dodecahedraArticleChecked against the original0

What it's used for here

The wax-forming answer and its experimental protocol.

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They were craft tools, such as knitting frames for gloves or moulds for forming wax tokens.

Answer

ANS

Wax-forming replica trials

Dataset

DAT

A 3D-printed replica forms repeatable wax tokens, with knobs as depth stops.

Evidence

EVD

The Gallo-Roman dodecahedra

The mystery article

MYS

Cite it

Lamb, G. (2026). A Functional Reassessment of Roman Dodecahedra as Tools for Forming Standardised Wax Objects. EXARC Journal 2026/2. https://exarc.net/ark:/88735/10843

@article{lamb2026functional,
  author = {Lamb, Greg},
  title = {A Functional Reassessment of Roman Dodecahedra as Tools for Forming Standardised Wax Objects},
  journal = {EXARC Journal 2026/2},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://exarc.net/ark:/88735/10843}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - A Functional Reassessment of Roman Dodecahedra as Tools for Forming Standardised Wax Objects
AU  - Lamb, Greg
PY  - 2026
JO  - EXARC Journal 2026/2
UR  - https://exarc.net/ark:/88735/10843
ER  -

Lamb, Greg. “A Functional Reassessment of Roman Dodecahedra as Tools for Forming Standardised Wax Objects.” EXARC Journal 2026/2 (2026).