KEY (LOCKING)

Cast copper alloy key dating from the late early medieval period, that is c. AD900-1100. The key is Anglo-Scandinavian or Anglo-Saxon in date. The key is composed of a small circular ring handle, a flat-oval shank and a almost rectangular/cruciform-shaped openwork bit. The handle is small, with ornamental moulded knops on the outside and a moulded collar between handle and shank. The shank is undecorated. The 'bit' is roughly rectangular with an openwork cross on the inside. There are ornamental knops at the very tip of the key. It has a shiny drab green patina overall with small flecks of corrosion.

Similar keys have been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. For example, see finds: BH-D397B3; HAMP-2A6FE4; HAMP-BBFF45; HESH-D2D0A6; IOW-0981F1; IOW-558551; LIN-67C243;NMS-167491; SF-685597; SOM-BC3065 and WILT-E43E71.
These slide keys are generally known as 'Viking keys' due to similarities in shape with excavated examples, however the T-shaped projections at the base of the bit remain unusual and no direct excavated parallels have been identified. This group of keys are tentatively dated to the 10th or 11th centuries AD (c. 900-c. 1100 AD) and with possible Anglo-Scandinavian influence, although it should be noted that this date range may be prone to adjustment through the recovery of examples from datable contexts.

NB Information and images of the find were email to the FLO. The FLO has not seen the object in person. Many thanks to the finder for reporting the find and supplying images!