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KEY (LOCKING)
Unique ID: SF-8867C6
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete cast copper-alloy finger ring key, or 'ring-key', of Roman date. It is missing half of the hoop, but is otherwise complete. The hoop is D-shaped in section with flat inner and rounded outer edge, its precise form uncertain due to the preservation of the object. To one side is a flattened rectangular bezel from which extends the integral bit. This has an oval sectioned shaft set at right angles to the hoop and with a hollow tip. The bit itself is rectangular and roughly S-shaped in form, with rectangular clefts at top and bottom, and a series of five rectangular teeth at its outer edge. The entire object has a very worn dark green patina and some areas of active corrosion. It measures 24.47mm in length, 20.55mm in width (at hoop, 3.67mm at shaft), 17.30mm in height at bit, and 4.29g in weight.
This is an incomplete Roman finger ring key. It finds parallels in examples published by Crummy (1983: nos. 2165, 2169), as well as on the PAS database (e.g. DOR-8FF913, LANCUM-50C0B8), and is of Guiraud Type 5a. Keys of this type are associated with small boxes or caskets of personal possessions rather than larger objects such as doors or cupboards, and are dated by Crummy (1983: p. 84) to the 3rd-4th centuries AD.
Class:
ring key
Sub class: Guiraud type 5a
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 409
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 24.47 mm
Height: 17.3 mm
Width: 20.55 mm
Weight: 4.29 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 21st July 2014
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
SMR reference number: BRK 117
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Suffolk (County)
District: Mid Suffolk (District)
To be known as: Barking
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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