The earliest known lock operated by a key was discovered in the ruins of thepalaceofKhorsabad near the ancient Assyrian capital ofNineveh. It’s thought to be around 4 000 years old. As for keys excavations in thepalaceofAssyrianemperorSargonIIyielded the earliest model of the basic lock-and-key combo. Apparently thievery has been around for almost as long as the world itself (not surprising when you recall that the Mabul came upon the earth as a result of stealing).In the days of theRoman Empire it seems keys represented prosperity. Therefore wealthy Romans often wore keys around their fingers as a sign of wealth. This may have been because only well-off individuals would have owned goods worth locking up but it also served a practical purpose since it ensured that the wearer could locate the key at all times. Maybe the custom should have been continued; if I wore my keys around my fingers I probably wouldn’t lose them half as often!