Sneck

A sneck was used to fasten a door. This bone example was found at Jarlshof on Shetland. It was used sometime between 850 and 1100.

The sneck has rounded ends, and the upper side is worn from use. It would have been fastened through the hole, probably to the door side, then turned to hold against the door frame. Similar mechanisms are used on old cupboards or airline seat trays today.

Concern with security is nothing new. The Romans built doors with handles, hooks and levers. Similarly, ways to fasten doors have been found at the Scandinavian settlement of Jarlshof. Lock and key mechanisms were also fitted to doors and chests.

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