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Description: | An incomplete cast copper alloy ring-key from a rotary lock, dating to the Roman period, probably between AD 200 ?? 410 (length: 20mm; outer diameter at hoop: 21mm; width at bit: 15.5mm; thickness at shank: 4.5mm; weight: 7.4g). The ring-key is comprised of an incomplete finger ring at one end (outer diameter of ring: see above; inner diameter of ring: 17mm; thickness of finger ring: 3mm) with a break of approximately 13.5mm. The ring has an integral short sub-circular shank protruding outwards from the hoop, which in turn terminates with a sub-rectangular bit. The outside edge of the ring??s hoop is partially decorated with moulded and incised decoration, consisting of approximately ten or eleven visible small and incised marks. The key??s hollow shank (length of the shank in between the ring and bit: 4mm) is also decorated with similar moulded decoration, consisting of three irregularly placed incised markings. The sub-rectangular bit has three evenly spaced teeth along the outside edge (length of bit: 10.5mm; width of bit: 10mm; thickness of bit: 3mm). There is no other decoration on this artefact, which is in a worn but fair condition with a dark green patina. Additionally, the artefact has been repaired (probably by the finder) around the ring, where an additional piece has been glued back together. Similar examples are illustrated in Crummy, N, 1983, ??Colchester Archaeological Report 2: The Roman small Finds from Excavations in Colchester 1971-1979??, pages 84-5. Crummy suggests that these keys are associated with small boxes and caskets of personal possessions rather than doors or cupboards. | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Johnson, Caroline - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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