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A unique find, this tiny object is very finely crafted.
What is it?
This Roman miniature padlock, comprising a gold exterior and an iron core, measures just 1.2cm by 1.1cm. It is similar in form, technical structure, and decorative style to other Roman locks known from the 3rd or 4th century AD. However, these other examples are significantly larger and are typically made of iron or bronze; this golden example, smaller than a €1 coin, is a unique find. The tiny object is very finely crafted: the lock’s casing is made from two cylindrical gold sheets, sealed at the top and bottom, and decorated with two rows of perforations. The lock is missing its key and most of its chain, but one end link is still in place. Inside, the lock’s mechanics are made of iron.
Where was it found, and when?
The object was discovered in 2023 by a licensed metal-detectorist who was surveying a field near Petershagen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. No other objects were found nearby, but the detectorist recognised the potential significance of the find and reported it to LWL-Archäologie für Westfalen. Experts from the organisation quickly confirmed that it was a miniature version of a Roman cylindrical lock, believed to have been made in the Roman province of Germania. It is not known how the lock came to be this far beyond the Roman Rhine frontier in Westphalia, but it may have arrived through trade, as loot, or perhaps as a souvenir or gift brought back by one of the local elite on their return from Roman military service.
Why does it matter?
It was originally uncertain whether this tiny lock was once functional: it would have been a spectacular object, regardless, and could have been worn as an unusual piece of jewellery even if it was defective. Researchers therefore used 3D neutron computed tomography, an innovative technique that offers an alternative to traditional X-rays, to look inside the lock. These images revealed an iron frame with a spring, a guide rail, a bolt, a base plate, and a pin. The mechanism was largely complete, but it had been damaged by someone in antiquity attempting either to break the lock open or to remove a blockage. Experts also created a fully functional brass-and steel replica, four times the size of the miniature lock, to test their conclusions about how the mechanism would have worked. Based on this evidence, the researchers believe that the tiny lock was probably once used to secure a jewellery box or small chest, much like a small padlock might be today.
This exceptional discovery raises questions about whether the miniature lock was a one-off production or simply the first example of its kind ever found. Whatever the case, the expertly made object reflects the extraordinary craftsmanship of blacksmiths and locksmiths in the Roman provinces, and offers new insights into the connections between the area of Westphalia and the Roman Empire c.1,600 years ago.
FIND OUT MORE: There are plans to place the lock on display in the LWL-Museum of Archaeology in Herne, Germany, in the future.
Text: Amy Brunskill / Photo: LWL S Brentführer
