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KEY (LOCKING)
Unique ID: ESS-E19CDC
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete Medieval copper alloy key handle, dating AD 1350-1500. All that remains is the handle of a composite key, with the shank and bit probably having been made of iron and subsequently degraded in the ground. The copper alloy handle is in the shape of a quatrefoil., with th etop lobe being slightly pointed. There is a squared open section at the base, in which the iron key would have been inserted. This section is slightly damaged with a small part missing on one side.
Similar objects are recorded on the PAS database, cf. NLM-EB9248. Ward-Perkins notes that keys of this style tend to date to the 14th-15th century (1940, 140) and are refered to as "quatrelobed rotary" keys.
Dimensions: length: 43.34 mm; width: 28.50 mm; thickness: 11.82 mm; weight: 19.47g.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1350
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 43.34 mm
Width: 28.5 mm
Thickness: 11.82 mm
Weight: 19.47 g
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Thurrock (Unitary Authority)
District: Thurrock (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: East Tilbury (Unitary Authority Ward)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TQ6779
Four figure Latitude: 51.48529558
Four figure longitude: 0.40382003
1:25K map: TQ6779
1:10K map: TQ67NE
Grid reference source: From finder
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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