I have been doing some research on the history of padlocks (perhaps I have too much time on my hands). But there is very little information on how the padlocks from the Jorvik settlement in York, England.

The wiki says they had tine springs, but I cannot find out any info on what that means
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padlock
(This is not a primary source, obviously, but it does have links to primary sources. Third paragraph of history starts talking about vikings)

Here is a better image of the lock and keys
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/rmhttp/schoo ... ergate.jpg

The keys look as if they would pinch together a ward spring (the spring that looks like a "V"). Just like on a Roman padlock:http://www.historicallocks.com/Other/Hi ... tid_2b.jpg

Does anyone have any knowledge on this stuff? Or know what a tine spring is? Also I would love for anyone to share their knowledge about ancient padlocks.