Roman Locks

This study examines banded pendants discovered in the Germanic cemeteries of Očkov and Sekule, focusing on their material composition. This type of pendants come from the Przeworsk culture and is found only rarely in western Slovakia during the Roman period, mainly in the graves of women and children. Banded pendants, typically crafted from copper-based alloys, are most commonly made of bronze. The core filling of the pendants contain decorations made from various other materials, such as organics and shells, pebbles or glass beads. The paper includes an analysis of metal parts of banded pendants using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The results of the XRF analysis confirmed the presence of copper alloys with varying proportions of tin and zinc, indicating that the pendants were manufactured from different types of bronze and brass. These findings provide new insights into the material diversity and resource utilization in the production of banded pendants within the Germanic cultural context.

Bound Pendants from the Roman period  in Sládkovičovo and Závod. The aim of this paper is to determine the types of minerals used in the construction of so called bound pendants from Sládkovičovo and Závod (SW Slovakia – Roman period Barbaricum) and the composition of the materials of the their construction frame, and briefly contextualize them within the cultural and historical context. Traditional methods of mineral identification in bound pendants have relied predominantly on macroscopic observations, often lacking precise verification. To address this, Raman microspectroscopy was utilized to accurately determine the types of minerals. Furthermore, surface composition analysis was conducted using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) to examine the frames of the pendants, a technique that is infrequently applied and typically described only through macroscopic observation in existing literature. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the material composition and cultural significance of bound pendants in the Roman-period Barbaricum, highlighting the importance of precise
analytical techniques in the study of archaeological artefacts.

For a number of decades now I have run a business making and selling replica furniture and other goods, including replicas of boxes and chests from such periods as the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and all the way up to and including the Tudor period. Along the way there have been a number of discussions about what a box is and what a chest is. And these discussions have in turn been confused by terms such as ‘coffer’ and ‘kiste’. So for the purposes of starting this article here are some definitions.

This typology is set out with a number system per type of storage device, starting with boxes, then chests, providing details of the type, along with an example (with location, date and collection data, and a line drawing). There is not a conscious effort to form a timeline of development and I will leave that for another time or someone else. This information is set out to help me and other likeminded people to discuss the development and design elements of a box or chest based on an agreed standard so as to save time and confusion of a naming convention for types of boxes and chests.

This typology uses a simple numbering convention which starts simply with a dug out chest and a lidless box all the way to a panel chest, rather than an alphabetical system, which can run out of letters (i.e. Petersen’s sword typology). Were there has been a number of sub-variants I have added a letter of the alphabet to the number of the type of box or chest.

I realise that this typology is not finite and is open to modification, be it subtraction or addition based on evidence provided. So I welcome notification of any remedies required that makes this typology more usable and accurate.

Berkshire Archaeological Society. Roman Seal Boxes. RESUMEN El objeto de este estudio es dar una visión actualizada de la mayoría de los hallazgos de cajas de sellos romanas realizados en España. Estas cajas se han considerado tradicionalmente como piezas asociadas a la escritura, siendo utilizadas para cerrar y dar privacidad a ciertos documentos, aunque últimamente se ha demostrado que eran piezas polivalentes, sirviendo también para otorgar privacidad al contenido de otros objetos como bolsas o paquetes. Se han encontrado evidencias de su uso en la mayoría de las provincias del Imperio Romano.

The excavation of burial grounds offers a unique portal into the lives of individuals who inhabited a particular area, providing insights far exceeding those gleaned from settlement patterns. penetrating the depths of these gravesites, researchers can extract a wealth of information that vividly reconstructs the existence of individuals who lived centuries or millennia ago, including their customs and beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife. Drawing on archaeological and anthropological analyses of grave goods and skeletal remains, this paper presents new discoveries from selected cremation graves at the zohor-piesky site. While recognizing that these graves do not represent entirely undisturbed contexts, leading to the absence of some grave goods and limitations in anthropological analysis in certain cases, we are still able to draw valuable inferences from the available data. by identifying patterns in the analysed graves, we can extrapolate these findings to the remaining burials, enabling us to trace the types of artifacts associated with specific age and sex categories. this study sheds light on the social dynamics and cultural practices of the individuals interred at zohor, offering a profounder comprehension of their customs and beliefs as manifest in their burials.

Miroirs, clefs, cornes et plumes, cloches et horloges, machines et mécanismes spectaculaires : le séminaire du CETM ressemblerait à ce « tiroir dépareillé » de l'inventaire de Prévert ? Depuis 1999, nous nous sommes en effet intéressés successivement à différents objets emblématiques, au fil de programmes développés chacun sur deux ou trois années qui ont donné lieu à des rencontres mensuelles et à cinq volumes publiés aux PUR 1 , avant de clore sur un programme consacré plus généralement à l'objet dans les textes médiévaux. Le choix de travailler sur des objets concrets s'est fondé sur la volonté de trouver un terrain fédérateur pour les littéraires médiévistes de Rennes 2, par-delà les corpus et problématiques des recherches individuelles. Nous avions aussi le souci d'un travail à la confluence de plusieurs disciplines, avec l'histoire et l'histoire de l'art notamment, mais des affinités avec l'archéologie, l'anthropologie et la philosophie se sont aussi imposées. Ce « parti-pris des choses » s'est révélé particulièrement fécond, en amenant chacun à reconsidérer son corpus de prédilection sous un angle inédit, ou inversement à en sortir, pour glaner patiemment des occurrences parfois sporadiques. L'objet s'est imposé comme un carrefour herméneutique, à différents titres. Je tente ici d'abord d'esquisser un bilan sur le mot et la chose et de 1. Cinq volumes dir. F. Pomel, parus aux Presses universitaires de Rennes : Miroirs et jeux de miroirs dans la littérature médiévale, Rennes, 2003 ; Les Clefs des textes médiévaux : pouvoir, savoir et interprétation, 2006 ; Cornes et plumes dans la littérature médiévale. Attributs, signes et emblèmes, 2010 ; Cloches et horloges dans les textes médiévaux. Mesurer et maîtriser le temps, 2012 ; Engins et machines. L'imaginaire mécanique dans les textes médiévaux, 2015. Lire les objets médiévaux-Fabienne Pomel (dir.) ISBN 978-2-7535-5309-5-Presses universitaires de Rennes, 2017, www.pur-editions.fr Lire les objets médiévaux-Fabienne Pomel (dir.) ISBN 978-2-7535-5309-5-Presses universitaires de Rennes, 2017, www.pur-editions.fr

The development of the craft of hard animal materials in the Middle Ages is still a little-known area in France, despite the increasing number of preventive excavations and the growing, but recent, interest in medieval material culture. Because of the wide range of functional objects produced – playthings and toys, toilet instruments, musical instruments, liturgical objects, etc. - Despite this, the social position and use of bone in medieval culture has remained largely unchanged. Despite this, the social place and location of a workshop within the elite space is still a widely debated subject. The study of these workshops in the west of France as part of a thesis is part of a growing body of historiography and, above all, part of a wider analysis of the material culture of elites in the second half of the Middle Ages. This theme, which was the subject of a collective work in 2018, enables us to understand the links between man and his environment, to develop a study of the production and function of objects, the circulation of raw materials and manufactured goods over short or longer distances, and to better understand the major socio-economic changes of the late Middle Ages.

Abstract: Bronze statuette from Velký Meder. In 1997, during a surface prospection, a fragment of a Roman bronze statuette was found at a Germanic settlement from the 2nd to 4th century in Veľký Meder (southwestern Slovakia). It is probably a figure of Hercules, who is leaning on a club with his right hand. In recent years, there have been discoveries of bronze and lead Roman statuettes from the Germanic sites in western Slovakia. A discussion was therefore opened about the penetration
of Roman ideas into the spiritual world of the Germanic people. However, the statuette of Mercury placed in a Germanic urn grave at the burial site in Ivanka pri Dunaji represents a non-Roman act. It testifies to the distinctive approach and  "non-Roman perception" of the Roman artefact. In the Roman world, bronze statuettes were rarely placed in graves.

Abstract: Roman Period earthen bird from Žitný Ostrov.
In the Quadi settlement in Velký Meder (south-western Slovakia, Žitný Ostrov region), in one dugout, there was found ceramics from the second half of the 2nd century and also an earthen figurine of a water bird, probably a wild duck. The sculpture was presumably originally part of a ceramic vessel, for example on the bottom of a flat bowl. Zoomorphic sculptures (either as independent pieces of art or as part of other objects) are quite rare in the environment inhabited by the Danubian Suebi. Amongst the available pieces, the most numerous ones are represented by water birds. Further examples from Lower Austria and southern Moravia show their occurrence in the 2nd and 3rd century, i.e. in an epoch characterised by formal and ornamental flourishing of manually
modelled Germanic ceramics. Water birds played a significant role already in the religious mindset of people from Bronze Age and Hallstatt culture, especially with regard to the cult of the Sun and sun-boat. Under a different meaning and according to Germanic ideas, they could represent also some mediators of the will of the gods or guides of the souls
of dead to the underworld.

The artefacts discussed in this article are related to keeping the privacy or security of properties and goods (keys, locking mechanisms, storage furniture, padlocks, handcuffs, some types of chains etc.). This category includes 21 artefacts (11 keys, nine bolts and one padlock) that come from the old collections of the National Museum of Banat (16 artefacts), auxiliary fort and vicus militaris from Pojejena (four artefacts) and vicus militaris from Tibiscum-Jupa (one artefact). The objectives of this study are to analyse the artefacts from a functional and typological point of view. Furthermore, the examination and study of use-wear marks may provide insights and information about how these artefacts were used.

The town of Pavlovo, located on the banks of the Oka River in the Nizhegorod Province of Russia, about 400 miles east of Moscow, was considered the center of locksmith art in the 18th century. Unlike the well-known steel city of Tula, where weapons and art objects were manufactured, Pavlovo not only worked with iron, but also, with brass. The brass was used for flat padlocks, which mainly hung on small boxes. The brass, in an alloy of copper and 30-50% zinc, was typical of Pavlovo production. The small locks made of brass had a simple spring locking mechanism. The close ties between the two cities of Tula and Pavlovo were promoted by Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetyev 1. From 1743 he was the owner of the plant in Pavlovo and an antique collector with his own art cabinet. For fifty years he supported the workers and had many of them trained in blacksmithing in the city of Tula. Their products were admired by travelers and bought and sold by merchants.

The town of Pavlovo, located on the banks of the Oka River in the Nizhegorod Province of Russia, about 400 miles east of Moscow, was considered the center of locksmith art in the 18th century. Unlike the well-known steel city of Tula, where weapons and art objects were manufactured, Pavlovo not only worked with iron, but also, with brass. The brass was used for flat padlocks, which mainly hung on small boxes. The brass, in an alloy of copper and 30-50% zinc, was typical of Pavlovo production. The small locks made of brass had a simple spring locking mechanism. The close ties between the two cities of Tula and Pavlovo were promoted by Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetyev 1. From 1743 he was the owner of the plant in Pavlovo and an antique collector with his own art cabinet. For fifty years he supported the workers and had many of them trained in blacksmithing in the city of Tula. Their products were admired by travelers and bought and sold by merchants.

Door locking is the mechanism for access, control and security that relies on a veiled knowledge of mechanics. However, as a symbol of power, authority, wealth and stature, it can reveal many cultural, economic and social practices and habits. The subject of ancient classical technology of door locking progress mechanisms is full of interest, and has received considerable attention during the last two centuries including recent years. However, it has not been until now the subject of many scholarly studies, that examine issues such as types, operational function and mechanism technology, access feature and security, and manufacturing based on recent archaeological data and findings. This paper attempts to present a comparative critical assessment and investigation of the mechanical and typological evaluation technology, mainly of the so-called Homeric, the simple and smart Hellenistic tumbler Laconian, in addition to the main advanced and elegant Roman door locking with spring mecha...

approche archéologique interdisciplinaire Résumé Le mobilier métallique provenant des fouilles menées au château de la Madeleine à Chevreuse (Yvelines) comprend un lot atypique de 71 fers de trait, daté de la fin du Moyen Âge. Les études archéologiques et archéométriques (radiographie, analyses physico-chimiques MEB, xylologie), s'appuyant sur une restauration systématique, ont révélé de nouvelles informations. Les vestiges de bois (conservés sur 19 individus) ont pu être étudiés, des formes inédites identifiées, ainsi qu'un surprenant placage d'alliage à base de cuivre, présent sur 78 % des objets. Les observations effectuées ont permis de bâtir des interprétations sur les modes d'élaboration des fers de trait plaqués, ainsi que des fûts. Ce travail invite à réfléchir aux protocoles d'investigation à mettre en place pour le mobilier métallique, même très altéré : un dialogue constant entre spécialiste de ce mobilier, restaurateur et archéomètre peut permettre d'apporter des informations dissimulées dans les produits de corrosion.

The analysis of graves could reveal information regarding the identity of the deceased individuals, the funerary rites that may have taken place, and the beliefs of the mourners. In this study were analysed seven graves: five graves (M53, M137, M222, M264 and M268) from the Alburnus Maior cemeteries, and two graves (G93 and M399) from the “Stația de salvare” and “Profi” zones of the cemetery situated in the northern part of the Municipium Septimium Apulense. Six graves include in their inventory one key and the last grave includes one bolt in the inventory. The keys have been used to secure possessions and public or private spaces by operating a locking mechanism, depending on the shape and pattern of the bit. In funerary contexts, the functionality of the keys may have symbolic meanings that can be related to certain deities which have these objects as attributes, or the keys and locking mechanisms may guard symbolically the possessions of the deceased person in the afterlife.

Cremation Burial Ground from the Roman period in Závod. In 2017, in Závod (district of Malacky) during forestry works a_destroyed Germanic burial ground dated to the Roman period was found. On the basis of topographicaldata and composition of finds, it is possible, to identify this burial ground with that mentioned by E. Beninger. The numerous imports from Roman provinces, from areas north of the Carpathian mountains and Elbe area region, show intensive multiregional contacts held by the local community. There is an ongoing discussion whether this is a_proof of extensive trade, cultural innfuence or ethnic transfers. The burial ground dates back to a period comprised between the last third of the 1st century and the 4th century.

Keywords: western Slovakia, Záhorie, Závod, Roman period, Germanic cremation burial ground, Roman imports, Przeworsk culture, Wielbark culture, finds of Elbe area origin, brooches, parts of clothes, toilette equipment, coin, militaria, glass, bronze vessels, pottery, terra sigillata.

Abstract: Cremation Burial Ground from the Roman period in Závod. In 2017, in Závod (district of Malacky) during forestry works a_destroyed Germanic burial ground dated to the Roman period was found. On the basis of topographicaldata and composition of finds, it is possible, to identify this burial ground with that mentioned by E. Beninger. The numerous imports from Roman provinces, from areas north of the Carpathian mountains and Elbe area region, show intensive multiregional contacts held by the local community. There is an ongoing discussion whether this is a_proof of extensive trade, cultural innfuence or ethnic transfers. The burial ground dates back to a period comprised between the last third of the 1st century and the 4th century.

Segobriga ha proporcionado hasta la fecha seis osculatorios completos de los que cinco son inéditos. Su tipología es, en todos los casos, zoomorfa y la serie la forman cuatro representaciones de aves y una de un delfín. Las dos piezas que pueden fecharse por el contexto de excavación pertenecen a la segunda mitad del siglo IV o inicios del V y los cinco osculatorios proceden de ámbitos exclusivamente vinculados a la vida privada.

In Slovakia, targeted archaeological research has succeeded in discovering 20 temporary Roman camps at 8 sites: in Suchohrad and Závod in the region of Záhorie, in Hviezdoslavov on Žitný ostrov, in Cífer-Pác in the area of Trnavská tabuľa, near the Danube in Iža, in Radvaň nad Dunajom and in Virt, in nearby Chotín, and in Vráble in the Žitava river valley. Their discovery was possible mainly due to the application of aerial
archaeology. Archival aerial photographs, geophysical measurements, archaeological surveys and surface collecting were used to supplement the findings. The obtained finds allow to date these camps reliably into the
period of the Marcomannic Wars. Thus, several places were located where the troops of Marcus Aurelius were encamped during their campaigns.

in Trier nach Notre-Dame in Metz Zum Schicksal der barocken Orgel von Jean Nollet Nachdem 1802 die in der antiken Porta Nigra im Mittelalter eingerichtete Doppelkirchenanlage St. Simeon-Pfarrkirche im Untergeschoss und Kirche der Stiftskanoniker im Obergeschoss-aufgelöst wurde, begann man einige Jahre später mit den Abrissarbeiten der mittelalterlichen Bausubstanz [ Abb. 1 ]. Gleichzeitig sollte die überflüssig gewordene kirchliche Ausstattung aus Sankt-Simeon (unter anderem Altäre, Kanzel sowie Beichtstühle), die die Zerstörungswut der französischen Revolutionstruppen überstanden hatte, möglichst schnell verkauft werden. Einige der Gegenstände kamen wohl in andere Trierer Gotteshäuser. Die barocke Orgel der Stiftskirche ereilte jedoch ein ganz anderes Schicksal: Heute steht ihr stark ergänzter Prospekt in der Kirche Notre-Dame im französischen Metz. Wie es dazu kam, ist Thema des folgenden Beitrags.

The paper presents new finds of the drinking horns mountings from sites Kostolište-Pri Jazierku, Malacky-Za vŕškom, Plavecký Štvrtok-Staré Priekopy. Drinking horns are typical artefacts associated with drinking rituals traditionally practised mainly by higher social classes resp. warriors. The analysis of the finds from cemeteries Abrahám, Kostolná pri Dunaji and Sládkovičovo has shown that they were probably used by wider community of men and women. In the area of the Slovakian lower course of the Morava river these artefacts appear to be rare according to the published mountings and other parts of the drinking horns. The finds from presented sites together with the published artefacts from studied area indicate that the drinking horns were the integral part of material culture of Germans in Záhorie region.

En el conocido yacimiento de Bílbilis, situado a orillas del Jalón~ en las proximidades de Calatayud, se localizaron los dos objetos de que damos noticia. Idénticos en cuanto a su utilidad, pero diferentes en cuanto a su sincronismo en el hallazgo y a su aspecto. Los llamados «osculatorios» han tenido atribuciones diversas, alWque en la actualidad se acepta generalmente su utilidad concreta como objetos de tocador femenino, siendo al parecer su función específica. la de removedores de perfumes. Son objetos que se pueden describir como: una barrita de bronce terminada en su extremo proximal, entendiendo por éste el de agente directo de la función a que se destina, en un aro o anilla formando> cuerpo con la barrita. En su extremo distal suele llevar alguna figurita como elemento decorativo. Esta decoración en muchos casos está como. puesta por una pareja de aves enfrentadas, aunque se conocen otros motivos. La barra que une ambos extremos del objeto suele ser de sección circular o cuadrada estando a menudo decorada. 1. Pertenecía a la colección de don Julio Sampedro, que se recuperó para el'

This article presents three iron implements, found in 2013/2014 on the Roman villa site "Dëschtelratt" at Contern: a scythe hammer, a scythe anvil and a scythe. Roman hay cutting techniques are also discussed.

(Archaeologia Luxemburgensis 6, 2020, 58-71)

A rugged bronze figurine, found in 1999 in the Roman settlement at Mamer, is presented, discussed and interpreted as one of the nine muses.
In addition, a range of archaeological evidence relating to the Roman theater in the Trier region (Civitas Treverorum) is gathered.
(Archaeologia Luxemburgensis 6, 2020, 32-57)

A Rare Find From Philadelphia: Cylindrical Padlock
Numerous archaeological finds were recovered from a pit in the necropolis of the ancient city of Philadelphia. Studies show that the context is a votive pit consisting of
finds showing a planned sequence. The cylindrical padlock, which is one of many metal finds in this pit is a rare type of lock which is similar to the ones found in European contexts. Other examples have missing fragments and therefore can not be evaluated in detail. The Philadelphia find is a cylindrical padlock and it was recovered as a whole with its key on it. In this study, the cylindrical padlock which is the context find will be evaluated, based on similar examples.
Keywords: Isauria, Philadelphia, Roman Empire Period, metal finds, lock parts, cylindrical lock, key.

ÖZ
Philadelphia antik kenti nekropolisinde, bir çukur içerisinden sayısız arkeolojik
buluntu ele geçmiştir. Yapılan çalışmalar kontekstin planlı bir dizilim gösteren buluntulardan oluşan bir adak çukuru olduğunu gösterir. Bu çukur içerisindeki çok sayıda metal buluntudan biri olan ve bu çalışmanın konusunu oluşturan silindirik asma kilit, nadir bir kilit türü olup, benzerlerine Avrupa kontekstlerinde rastlanır. Küçük Asya sınırlarında bugüne kadar yalnızca Sardeis ve Zeugma’dan ele geçer. Diğer örneklerin parçaları eksiktir ve bu nedenle detaylı değerlendirmeleri yapılamamıştır. Philadelphia buluntusu silindirik asma kilit kontekst buluntusu olup, üzerindeki anahtarı ile bir bütün olarak ele geçmiştir. Bu çalışma kapsamında benzer örneklerinden yola çıkılarak kontekst buluntusu olan silindirik asma kilit değerlendirilecektir.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Isauria, Philadelphia, Roma İmparatorluk Dönemi, metal
buluntu, kilit aksamı, silindirik kilit, anahtar.

This article gives the brief results of a master´s thesis. It deals with small Roman baths (balneum) and buildings similar to Roman baths from six sites (Mušov-Burgstall, Iža, Stupava, Bratislava-Devín, Bratislava-Dúbravka and Cífer-Pác), located to the north of the Danube in the Central Danube Barbaricum. The limited geographic region corresponds to the present-day territories of south-western Slovakia and southern Moravia. The time horizon for the occurrence of these buildings ranges from the end of the Marcomannic wars, that is from the third quarter of the 2nd century, until late Antiquity in the second half of the 4th century.

¿Por dónde comenzamos? "Para articular y organizar los conocimientos y así reconocer y conocer los problemas del mundo, es necesaria una reforma del pensamiento. Ahora bien, esta reforma es paradigmática y no programática: es la pregunta fundamental para la educación, ya que tiene que ver con nuestra aptitud para organizar el conocimiento" (Morin, 2002-35). El concepto "recorte de la realidad" es un concepto teórico que se propone con una finalidad didáctica, aunque la realidad siempre se piensa en términos de "recortes", el científico social para llevar a cabo una investigación realiza un recorte, el que a su vez se acota. ¿Dónde comienza el diseño de un "recorte de la realidad" con fines didácticos? En la mente del docente, y la mirada que éste tenga del mundo social, la que muchas veces, coincide con su historia escolar.

This doctoral dissertation is on the evaluation of metal materials recovered from archaeological excavations carried out in the Village of Gökçeseki (Philadelphia), within the district Ermenek which is part of the Karaman province.
It is observed that the metal works found in Gökçeseki (Philadelphia) consist of 348 pieces and that they were produced in small numbers from gold, silver and lead but more from bronze. The findings were first grouped according to their intended use.
According to the groupings made by considering the functions of the works, 206 of them consist of Cosmetic / Medical instruments, 29 of them cutting / drilling tools, 82 of them jewelery, belts and clothing accessories, 7 of them lock parts and keys, 4 of them mirror and mirror frames and finally, 12 of them that were not included in these groups were also evaluated. Of the finds in Gökçeseki, 270 are made of bronze, 51 are iron, 7 are silver, 4 are lead, 3 are gold, and 3 are stone artifacts associated with these finds.
It is very important to understand, identify and date the metal finds.  The works evaluated in this PhD thesis were found, arranged in a planned order in a pit. The closure of the pit must be linked to Shapur's campaign (AD 260), which caused a major destruction in the region in the middle of the 3rd century AD. In this context, the terminus ante quem for the dating of the works studied is the 1st century AD and the terminus post quem is the late 3th century AD at the latest.

90 91 komunit ve světle nových hrobových, sídlištních a sběrových nálezů (Archeologie barbarů 2011). Spisy Archeologického ústavu AV ČR Brno 44. Brno 2014, 277-293. Archeologický ústav SAV v Nitre Jantárová cesta a Záhorie. Germánske elity vo svetle rímskych stavieb, kniežacích hrobov a rímskeho importu v Bratislave-Dúbravke a Zohore. 1

Door locking is the mechanism for access, control and security that relies on a veiled knowledge of mechanics. However, as a symbol of power, authority, wealth and stature, it can reveal many cultural, economic and social practices and habits. The subject of ancient classical technology of door locking progress mechanisms is full of interest, and has received considerable attention during the last two centuries including recent years. However, it has not been until now the subject of many scholarly studies, that examine issues such as types, operational function and mechanism technology, access feature and security, and manufacturing based on recent archaeological data and findings. This paper attempts to present a comparative critical assessment and investigation of the mechanical and typological evaluation technology, mainly of the so-called Homeric, the simple and smart Hellenistic tumbler Laconian, in addition to the main advanced and elegant Roman door locking with spring mechanism. The paper shall address mainly the Hellenistic gap in material studies, according to recent archaeological records and findings. It suggests that door locking utilizing spring technology is Hellenistic and not Roman as it was believed. In addition the paper attempts to clarify and present some new aspects and suggestions to several misunderstandings about the locking system origin and the know-how of controlling the sliding horizontal bolt movement. These aspects will be critically discussed and clarified through 2D and 3D graphical reconstructions and models.

Nuestra investigación se ha centrado en la reproducción de llaves pertenecientes a puertas, baúles y otros elementos relacionados con la cerrajería hallados en yacimientos ibéricos. Nuestra experimentación se basó en la fabricación de los otros elementos necesarios para el correcto funcionamiento de dichas llaves (cerraduras), los cuales probablemente habrían sido fabricados en madera y no han dejado huella en el registro arqueológico. De esta manera tratamos de verificar las hipótesis establecidas sobre el funcionamiento-accionamiento de las llaves ibéricas para posteriormente rebatir ciertos aspectos sobre su funcionamiento, los cuales están ligados íntimamente a la morfología de cada llave.

Our research has focused on the reproduction of keys belonging to doors, chests and other elements related to locksmithing. Our experimentation was based on the reproduction of the other elements necessary for the correct operation of these keys (locks), that would have been made of wood and have left no trace in the archaeological record. In this way we try to verify the hypotheses established on the operation-activation of the Iberian keys, to subsequently refute certain aspects of their operation, which are linked to the morphology of each key.

The article covers several small-area excavations in the northern part of the Gallo-Roman settlement at Mamer-Bertrange, a probable vicus. The CNRA Luxembourg has conducted this research during the years 2012-2013 and 2015-2017 because of imminent building projects. The article also recapitulates former archaeological finds made in the same area between 1971 and 1991. Noteworthy results of the recent excavations include a workshop for the recycling of bronze objects as well as the location of a metalled space near the main road, a possible market place or “forum”.