Roman locks

Roman locks that were discovered in cities destroyed by Vesuvius in 79 CE. The objects are made of bronze and date back to the 1st century CE. The artifacts are in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Houses preserved in volcanic ash and their decor allowed us to see many mechanisms and objects used in antiquity. In the houses, there were wooden chests or cabinets, which sometimes had locks to protect jewellery or other valuables from thieves. Despite the catastrophe of 79 CE, many chests still contained their contents after their discovery.