English: Roman cast copper alloy tumbler lock slide key, probably 1st-2nd century. Undecorated flat rectangular-sectioned trapedoizal handle (length 28mm), with narrowest edge at the junction with the narrowed rectangular-sectioned shaft (length c.14mm, width x thickness c.6x7mm). The rectangular bit projects sideways from the shaft at 90°, and has five teeth on one side (two rows of two and one at the end). The handle rises from the base of the teeth. Mid green-brown patina, some pitting. Length 51.71mm, width at handle terminal 19.11mm, width at bit 23.0mm, overall width c.30mm, thickness across bit13.8mm, thickness across handle terminal 5.23mm, weight 27.74g. See Crummy 1983 ("The Roman Small Finds from Excavations in Colchester 1971-9", Colchester Archaeological Trust) p125-6 for a discussion and further examples of these keys (dating from c.AD60-150). She notes that "A slide key raised the tumblers engaged in the bolt by pushing them up from underneath. When the teeth of the key lifted the tumblers, they were themselves engaged in the bolt and thus the key, rather than the a cord, could be used to slide the bolt."