A carbon-coated pyrosilicate, Na2Mn2Si2O7/C, was synthesized and characterized for use as a new positive-electrode material for sodium ion batteries. The material consists of 20-80 nm primary particles embedded in a approximate to 10 nm-thick conductive carbon matrix. Reversible insertion of Na+ ions is clearly demonstrated with approximate to 25% of its theoretical capacity (165 mA h g(-1)) being accessible at room temperature at a low cycling rate. The material yields an average potential of 3.3 V vs. Na+/Na on charge and 2.2 V on discharge. DFT calculations predict an equilibrium potential for Na2Mn2Si2O7 in the range of 2.8-3.0 V vs. Na+/Na, with a possibility of a complete flip in the connectivity of neighboring Mn-polyhedra - from edge-sharing to disconnected and vice versa. This significant rearrangement in Mn coordination (approximate to 2 angstrom) and large volume contraction (>10%) could explain our inability to fully desodiate the material, and illustrates well the need for a new electrode design strategy beyond the conventional down-sizing/coating procedure.