Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How old is the lock discovered at the palace of Khorsabad near Nineveh?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
lock
Figure 1: Ancient Egyptian lock
The lock discovered at the palace of Khorsabad near Nineveh is estimated to be approximately 4,000 years old. This device is recognized as the oldest known example of a lock, specifically of the type known as a pin tumbler or Egyptian lock.1