(Photograph: ©York Archaeological Trust)
The Viking Age inhabitants of York were as concerned to keep their valuables safe as we are today. Trinkets, coins, jewellery or even valuable spices could be kept in chests or boxes behind locked doors, but a stout padlock on the chest would make the owner feel even more secure.
Ancient keys and padlocks of various forms have been found; one of the most remarkable is a type known as the barrel padlock. Fragments of several of these have been found in Viking Age and medieval deposits, but in 1980 a very complete barrel padlock case from 10th century levels showed us the detail of how they worked.
Find number 1976.7,
11758; catalogue number 3610. Length 86mm, width 84mm.
For more information see: The Archaeology
of York 17/6, Anglo-Scandinavian Ironwork from 16–22 Coppergate
by Patrick Ottaway.
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