Viking/Vendel Key to Nowhere

sketchfab

Model of a Vendel period key-like object from the Ihre Burial Field at Gotland, this key unlocks nothing. Found in grave 159, its namesake individual lies buried beneath. While similar to other artifacts from this era and location, this key won't turn any locks - its curved decoration makes it useless for that purpose. It's unlikely to fit into the type of lock these keys were designed for. Maybe it's symbolic or simply a piece of jewelry, given that the woman in grave 159 was buried with two identical pairs of key-like objects.