Roman Dodecahedron as dioptron: analysis of freely available data

TL;DR

This paper suggests that Roman Dodecahedra functioned as ancient optical dioptrons, supported by analysis of web data, and highlights the importance of online information for archaeological research.

Contribution

It proposes a new interpretation of Roman Dodecahedra as dioptrons, providing an equation and analyzing freely available data to support this claim.

Findings

Roman Dodecahedra likely served as dioptrons.

Analysis of web data supports the dioptron hypothesis.

The paper emphasizes the role of online resources in archaeological studies.

Abstract

Recently I have proposed the Roman Dodecahedra as ancient coincidence rangefinders. Here I discuss several data and references freely available on the Web. After analysis, the common features of these artifacts allow to tell that a Roman Dodecahedron was probably a dioptron. The equation of this optical instrument is given. The paper ends with a discussion on the role of the Web and free information for further studies of these objects.