Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Windlass key recovered from the Swansea Canal during dredging works at Ynysneudwy in the mid 1990s.

Information from donor - The key was recovered from the canal below Ynysmeudwy lower lock. The area below the lock was where canal barges used to lie up awaiting their turn to enter the lock, up to 20 barges have been noted at various times. The windlass is not marked SCNC or GWR. Neither of the owners operated any cargo barges, barges were operated by individual works owners such as ironworks, collieries, potteries, tinplate works etc. The key would have been purchased from an ironmonger or factor etc probably at Swansea or Pontardawe these two locations having the greatest number of bargemen.