Ca. 100-300 AD. Roman. A well-preserved door fitting made of iron which was part of an ancient Roman lock mechanism. The body, which features incised decoration, is rectangular and has a circular loop on one terminal and a rectangular loop on the other terminal. The Romans were great innovators who quickly managed to improve upon Greek and Egyptian locks by introducing metals as their primary materials. By utilizing iron locks, Romans were finally able not only to fashion strong protection mechanisms against brute-force attacks, but also keys, which for the first time were small enough that they could be worn in pockets or as a pendant. To find out more about the history and evolution of ancient locks, see Eras, V. J. M. (1957). Locks and Keys throughout the Ages. New York: Lip's Safe and Lock Manufacturing Company.Good condition. Size: L:77mm / W:23mm ; 35g. Provenance: From the private collection of an Essex gentleman; previously in an old British Collection, formed in the 1990s.