Rights Holder: Sussex Archaeological Society
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Unique ID: SUSS-F25656
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
Large incomplete Medieval cast copper alloy rotary key (1200-1400 AD). The bow of the key is missing, along with around 20% of the shank. The octagonally-sectioned shank is hollow-ended. Slightly inset from the end of the shank projects the key-bit at 90 degrees to it. The bit is divided in two by one large vertical cleft; the two sides are not symmetrical. One has two clefts equally spaced on the outer edge, each leading to a horizontal recession, as well as one small vertical cleft from the bottom edge; the other has only one horizontal cleft, parallel and close to the shank of the key, below this it has one long vertical cleft from the lower edge with recessed fields on either side. The key is heavily corroded and has a mottled patina of red and green. It measures 56.69mm long, 22.64mm wide and 8.99mm thick. It weighs 22.9 grams. Egan (1998) illustrates an example with an almost identical bit, p. 115 ref. 313, from a secure 13th century context.
Class: London type VI
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1200
Date to: AD 1400
Quantity: 1
Length: 56.69 mm
Width: 22.64 mm
Thickness: 8.99 mm
Weight: 22.9 g
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 15th February 2009
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.