1,600-year-old Roman padlock with spring mechanism discovered in Germany -- and it's tiny

Live Science ^ | January 29, 2025 | Kristina Killgrove

[SunkenCiv]

A miniature gold lock dated to the third to fourth centuries was found by a metal detectorist in Germany...

An analysis of the tiny lock with CT scans revealed the artifact's inner workings, showcasing its high level of Roman craftsmanship and hinting at trade between northern Germany and Rome in the third century...

Measuring just under half an inch (1.2 centimeters) in diameter, the tiny lock was identified by metal detector in a field in Westphalia, a region of northwestern Germany, in 2023...

Experts at LWL immediately recognized the gold lock as a miniature version of regular locks made in the Roman provinces in the third and fourth centuries. They would have been used to protect wooden chests similar to today's jewelry boxes, according to the statement.

All that remains of the miniature lock today is its cylinder, but in antiquity, it would have had a chain and a key, similar to a padlock. In restoring the find, LWL experts found that the core inside the cylinder was made of iron...

To virtually peer inside the lock, the researchers used 3D neutron computed tomography (CT), which uses neutrons instead of X-rays to see inside dense objects like the gold lock mechanism. They discovered that the inner workings of the lock included a spring, guide rail, bolt, baseplate and pin.

The mechanism is largely complete but shows signs of damage...

[super7man]

;0)

[BobL]

“Lock Picking Lawyer needs this.”

He’s incredible! Also has a huge following.

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

Neat! Thanks, SunkenCiv.

[SunkenCiv]

That’s a replica made with very high tech; to put it into perspective, it was scaled up, and the Roman original was very fine work made by hand, and probably without any drawn up plans. :^) :^D

[USAF1985]

Looks like my TSA bag lock…