VIKING SLAVE SHACKLE LOCK C.900 AD

Forged iron, 2" length with high rounded shackle and cylindrical drum with thickened banding on both ends. Cylindrical keyhole with pin.  The shank is frozen with rust, but sound with small losses as shown. Vikings took slaves to be sold, for ransom and their use. It was common for a Viking house to have a slave hut for one or more household and agricultural slaves, and it has even been said that Viking culture was based in slavery.