New outing for mysterious Roman object found in pit

They are known as one of archaeology's great enigmas - hollow 12-sided objects from the Roman era with no known purpose or use.

- Jessica Murray

Only 33 of these mysterious dodecahedrons have ever been found in Britain and now one, unearthed during an amateur archaeology dig after 1,700 years underground, is going on public display in Lincoln as part of a history festival.

Found in Norton Disney, about nine miles away from Lincoln, last summer, the artefact is one of the largest of its kind ever found, at 8cm tall and weighing 254g.

Its excavation was particularly important as it was found where it was placed 1,700 years ago, meaning the site could hold clues as to its purpose. Only three other examples of dodecahedra have been found on archaeological excavations.