World · India Bureau
CT scans unlock 443-year-old brass combination from Welsh shipwreck
Advanced imaging technology has revealed the four-letter combination of a brass lock recovered from a 16th-century vessel that sank off the Welsh coast. The discovery provides a rare glimpse into maritime history without damaging the ancient artefact.
LSN India ·
Researchers have successfully decoded a brass combination lock from the Ann Francis, a merchant vessel that foundered off Wales in 1583 while returning from Spain. Using micro-CT scanning technology, scientists were able to determine that the lock's mechanism was set to the combination ANCE, solving a mystery that had persisted for over four centuries.
The non-invasive imaging technique allowed experts to examine the internal mechanisms of the lock in meticulous detail without opening or damaging the delicate artefact. The CT scan provided a three-dimensional view of the lock's interior workings, revealing how the combination wheels were positioned within the device.
The Ann Francis met its end during a storm while crossing the Bay of Biscay, and the lock represents one of the few intact mechanical objects recovered from the wreck. The preservation of the lock in such condition offers valuable insights into 16th-century craftsmanship and maritime trade practices during the Tudor era.
The discovery underscores the potential of modern scanning technology in archaeological research, enabling historians and conservation experts to unlock secrets held within historical artefacts while maintaining their integrity for future generations. The findings add to growing knowledge about life and commerce aboard Tudor-era merchant vessels.