2024-03-28T08:49:34+00:00https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/917264/format/qrcodehttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/917264/format/jsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/917264/format/xmlhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/917264/format/geojsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/917264/format/pdfhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/917264/format/rdfhttps://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/917264917264HAMP-799738PAS5B9799730018E7KEY (LOCKING)type C variant38.713.11.992.11Hampshire Cultural Trust Object Entry Form WINCM 6931MEDIEVAL9001300A copper alloy slide key for a slide lock of probably late early-medieval to medieval date (900-1300). It is bent horizontally at the centre and comprises a shaft c.13mm long of rectangular cross-section, with an oval projection at one end a larger rectangular projection at the other. The shaft measures 3.1x1.8mm where the 4.9mm wide oval projection extends, presumably the terminal or handle from which it hung; this has a 2.9mm diameter piercing within it and transverse mouldings on the outside edge. The larger rectangular projection at the other end of the shaft (which measure 4.2x2.1mm just before it) is the 'slide' end of the key. This is openwork and T-shaped, measuring 13.1mm wide and 13.5mm long. The stem of the T is short and squat. To the inside edge of the horizontal, opposite the shaft, are two short vertical projections one of which is shorter than the other and presumably damaged. Beyond the stem of the T is another smaller solid T with a curved top edge (the horizontal bar).
The object measures 38.7mm in length, 13.1mm in max.width, 2.1mm in max.thickness and weighs 1.99g. The patina is lightly pitted and mid-green in colour.
There is much discussion on these type of slide keys, known popularly as 'Viking' keys, though only similar to known Viking keys (from dated contexts) in their shape. Kevin Leahy comments "they do look something like the keys that come from Viking graves and from Viking sites but I have never seen an example that had the 'T' shaped extension for the end of the bit and I can't actually see how this would have functioned in a slide lock". An iron example was found at Coppergate in York, in a 12th to 13th century context (Ottaway and Rogers 2002; 2876, 3061). A date range c.900-1300 is therefore suggested, although it should be noted that this date range may be prone to adjustment through the recovery of further examples from datable contexts.2018-09-11 11:31:152019-07-18 09:42:05411Certain1134729PAS5B9799730018E774HAMPCopper alloy10627CompleteEARLY MEDIEVALEMx41022p0gjgrshhcwMEDIEVALMDx14221p0gjgrsxwzxMetal detectorCircaCirca91601117765174621748641421SU7145SU7145SU74NW51.19981307-0.98519456810From finder1026979HAMP799738.jpg1691759Late early-medieval/ medieval slide keyHampshire Cultural Trust4images/khindshamp/South EastCultivated landEuropean RegionCountyHampshireDistrictHartCivil Parish51.2169-0.966719South WarnboroughReturned to finder97317