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Description: | An incomplete Later Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon/Anglo-Scandinavian) cast copper-alloy key (900-1100).It has a flat bow measuring 2.06mm in thickness with projecting knops at the sides and a large central circular perforation. Beneath the bow is a narrow transverse 'collar'. The shank is oval in cross-section and measures 19.33mm in length. Beneath the shank is the integral bit which is roughly square in plan and cross-section. It has no internal projections. At the base of the bit is a small square projection with square notch on the interior. From this extends a T shaped projecting terminal that is uniform in thickness, rectangular in cross-section.This key has a shiny drab green patina overall with small flecks of corrosion.Length: 45.61mm; width of bit: 13.68mm; thickness: 2.52mm. Weight: 3.08g.Similar keys have been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. For example, see finds: BH-D397B3; HAMP-2A6FE4; HAMP-BBFF45; HESH-D2D0A6; IOW-0981F1; LANCUM-1E77A5; LIN-67C243;NMS-167491; SF-685597; SOM-BC3065 and WILT-E43E71. These slide keys are generally known as 'Viking keys' due to similarities in shape with excavated examples, however the T-shaped projections at the base of the bit remain unusual and no direct excavated parallels have been identified. This group of keys are tentatively dated to the 10th or 11th centuries AD (c. 900-c. 1100 AD) and with possible Anglo-Scandinavian influence, although it should be noted that this date range may be prone to adjustment through the recovery of examples from datable contexts.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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