RARE VIKING CHEST OR DOOR LOCK KEY, 9TH-11TH CENTURY AD

9th-11th century AD. Forged iron, a little over 5 3/4" in length. Medially ridged spatulate grip with nub terminal. The bit with double projections and offset required inserting the key and locating the bolt within the case. The configuration indicates that the bolt was distant from the keyhole, requiring this peculiar configuration and confounding thieves. See The Mastermyr Find, pl. 4 #2 & 3 for examples of this same form found in Gotland Sweden. The great similarity suggests that this example is also from Sweden.