Latchlifter

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This iron latchlifter was found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It was used sometime between 80 and 180 AD.

The latchlifter is the simplest form of key, found on native and Roman sites in Britain. Most of them, as here, have a flat handle with an eye at the end, and a slightly curved stem upturned at the tip.

Latchlifters worked in one of two ways. Some were designed to be fed through a hole in the door, so that the tip lifted or slid the bolt. Others worked by lifting a simple tumbler which held the bold firm, and the bolt was then moved by pulling a cord.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-037-264-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 1081 A
• Date: Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Iron; L-shaped; loop at end of handle
  Key
  
• Dimensions: 7.75" L
  
• What: Key
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: L-shaped iron key with loop at end of handle, from Newstead
  
• References:
• Translations:
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