Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How did the ancient Greek sickle-shaped key move a door bolt?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
lock
Figure 1: Ancient Egyptian lock
In ancient Greece, the sickle-shaped key functioned through a relatively simple mechanical process. The iron key, which often featured an elaborately carved wooden handle, was inserted through a hole in the door. Once inside, the key was turned so that the point of the sickle engaged the lock bolt, allowing the user to draw it back manually. This primitive device offered minimal security compared to later innovations like the Roman warded lock.1