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.
Excavating Northamptonshire