KEY (LOCKING)

An incomplete copper-alloy slide key of the Roman period, dating from circa AD 43 - AD 410.

This key would have been for use in a tumbler lock. The key is a composite, (formed of two pieces), the bottom of the key is now missing, presumed lost in antiquity. The bow is broadly circular in shape with a broadly semi circular perforation with a rectangular notch present in the horizontal bottom edge (the perforation is 14.1 mm in length and is 17.4 mm wide). The bow has a broadly triangular knop protruding from the top, which is rectangular in section. Below the perforation the bow tapers in towards the shank. The shank has been decorated with six rectangular, horizontal ridges evenly spaced, which alternate with seven rectangular, horizontal grooves. At the base of the key is a vertical, cylindrical depression which would have held the remainder of the key, now missing. The base has been broken at a 45 degree angle on the right. There are traces of iron corrosion on the left of the base.

The key measures 56.6 mm in length and is 26.9 mm wide. It has a thickness at the base of 7.6 mm (the top is 2.8 mm thick). The depression at the base is 6.8 mm deep. It weighs 15.0 g.

The key is a mid green to brown in colour with an even surface patina. There is slightly red - brown traces of iron corrosion at the base of the shaft. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil may have resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail.

A slightly similar example can be seen in Manning (1995), page 266, Fig 82, No 12, but this differs slightly in that the decoration and shaft are different in shape, however it is similar in style. Similar examples can also be seen on the database NMS-F361A7, BH-1CB5C3, NARC-B530A3, WILT-F4DBE8 and WILT-7144B6. All have been given a broad Roman date.