On the Development and Distribution of Primitive Locks and Keys — John Shaqi
On the Development and Distribution of Primitive Locks and KeysPitt-Rivers, Augustus Henry Lane-Fox
History
On the Development and Distribution of Primitive Locks and Keys
Pitt-Rivers, Augustus Henry Lane-Fox
Locks and keys
Other iron keys are found in England and France, the application of
which is more doubtful. They are found chiefly in connection with
Celtic remains, and by some have been supposed to be keys for opening
doors fastened with a simple latch on the inside.[8] Such latches were
certainly employed amongst the earliest systems of door-fastenings,
and the keys in question might have served the purpose of opening
them, but they might also have been used to open locks with a single
wooden tumbler; the simpler kinds resemble somewhat our modern
pick-locks, of which fig. 28B, Plate III., is a specimen. Fig. 29B,
Plate III., in my collection is from a Germano-Roman tomb near
Niderolm, and was obtained at Mayence; its possible use, in the manner
represented in fig. 9B, Plate II., is obvious. Figs. 30B and 31B,
Plate III., are two Anglo-Saxon keys found at Sarr, in Kent.[9] Figs.
32B, 33B, Plate III., are two keys of the Iron Age from Bornholm, in
the Baltic,[10] attributed by M. VIDEL to the 3rd or 4th century of
our era. Fig. 34B, Plate IV., is a somewhat similar one from Caerwent,
in Wales.[11] It has a flat handle and appears to be adapted to be
pressed downwards as if for opening a latch. Figs. 35B, 36B, Plate
IV., are nearly similar ones, and were discovered in the Roman Villa
at Hartlip, in Kent.[12]
[8] Ibid., p. 320.
[9] Paper by JOHN BRENT, Esq., in the fifth volume of
'Archæologia Cantiana,' p. 312.
[10] 'Mémoires de la Société Royale des Antiquaries du
Nord,' 1872-77, Plate VIII., figs. 1 and 2.
[11] 'Isca Silurum,' by JOHN E. LEE, F.S.A., Plate XXXVI.,
fig. 1.
[12] C. ROACH SMITH'S 'Collectanea Antiqua,' vol. ii., Plate
VI., figs. 2 and 3, p. 20.
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