The Locks and Keys in Ancient Egypt

The Locks and keys in Ancient Egypt is the first academic book which deals with the locking system in Egyptian civilization. It clarifies the locking devices and the keys of the doors, tools and other daily life valuables such as beautification and jewelry boxes. The study focuses on the hieroglyphic names of locks, the various types and shapes of the locks such as the latch-bolt, lion-lock, the aquiline lock with a head and wooden locks with pins "tumblers", as well as discusses the mechanism of every type. The religious rapport between the locks and the daily temple liturgy is illustrated. The Egyptian architecture shows much evidence that confirms that locks were used to secure doors. Although the locks have not been found, the sockets and holes to which the locks were fastened still survive. The book traces the architectural elements that confirm the usage of locks. The book supported with many illustrations, figures, plates that explain the mechanism of the lock shape and functions as well as the list of figures, list of abbreviations, bibliography and chronology.