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Description: | Incomplete cast copper alloy slide key of probable Later Early Medieval (Anglo-Scandinavian / Viking) date (900-1100 AD). The slide key is irregular in plan and sub-rectangular in profile. It is cast in one piece and formed around a central D shaped shank with a sub-circular looped terminal, now incomplete. This looped terminal would have had a number of small knop like projections possibly three around the edge. The junction between the loop and shank is decorated with small shoulder like projections. Similar shoulders are present at the opposite end of the shank at the junction with the bit. The bit is broadly triangular in plan. Through the centre of the bit is a sub-rectangular cast hole. At the centre of the two long edges is a small sub-triangular notch cut into the bit. In line with the shank, on the lower edge of the bit, is a small sub-rectangular projection. This projection is broadly I shaped (although in the literature this projection is usually described as a T). In profile the ?I? like projection is uniform in thickness. The base of the projection is slightly rounded. The key measures 47.1mm length, 17.2mm width, 3.3mm maximum thickness, and weighs 5.49 grams.
The key is decorated sparsely with a few cast designs. These are mostly the knop like projections and rounded shoulder already described. The only other decoration present is a small cast raised horizontal ridge on the shank of the key above the junction with the bit. The key is a mid-dark green colour with an even patina which covers all surfaces. The broken edge on the terminal of the key has a similar patina present to that on the rest of the key. This suggests that the damage originally occurred in antiquity. The profile of the key is slightly warped and the I shaped projection is slightly bent. Abrasion has affected some of the edges of the key, where this has occurred a light green copper corrosion is present. Several parallels for these keys are known, and a good example can be seen in Brian Read?s Metal Artefact of Antiquity pages 61 and 70, example 523. Also there are two examples of similar keys recorded by the PAS from Hampshire (HAMP-BBFF45 and HAMP-2A6FE4). However, a direct parallel from an excavated context has not been found, therefore the dates and possibly function of the key, suggested here may have to be revised.
Thanks are extended to Dr Kevin Leahy for his advice while researching this artefact. | Format: | text/html | License: | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Publisher: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Rights holder: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Subjects: | archaeology | Temporal: | 900
1100 | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Peter Reavill | Identifier: | http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefac... | Language: | en-GB | Format: | text/html | Go to resource |
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