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KEY (LOCKING)

Unique ID: SOM-5E86FC

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

A medieval copper-alloy rotary key. The key has a circular bow formed of a loop around a large opening. The shank has a broadly oval cross-section with a rectangular collar where the bow meets the shank. The end of the shank is hollow with a deep recess. There is a simple rectangular bit.

The key is 36.2mm lonf, 11.1mm wide, 4.2mm thick and weighs 4.29g.

According to Egan (1998, p.g. 111) these types of keys date from the late 12th to late 14th century and were most likely used for caskets or chests. A similar key can be seen illustrated in Read's (2001) 'Metal Artefacts of Antiquity' as no. 555. There are many similar examples on this database includng PAS-65D4E5 and SOM-3279AC.

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1400

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 36.2 mm
Width: 11.1 mm
Thickness: 4.2 mm
Weight: 4.29 g

Personal details

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Other reference numbers

Other reference: SCC receipt 17677

Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: South West (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Urchfont (Civil Parish)

Spatial coordinates

4 Figure: SU0457
Four figure Latitude: 51.31209995
Four figure longitude: -1.94399634
1:25K map: SU0457
1:10K map: SU05NW
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
General landuse: Cultivated land

References cited

Author	Publication Year	Title	Publication Place	Publisher	Pages	Reference
Egan, G.	1998	The Medieval Household: Daily Living c.1150-c.1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London)	London	The Stationery Office
Read, B.	2001	Metal artefacts of antiquity: A catalogue of small finds from specific areas of the United Kingdom	Langport	Portcullis Publishing

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: SOM
Created: 5 years ago
Updated: 5 years ago

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