Jooish

400-year-old combination lock opened: A brass lock on a ship that sank 450 years ago remained firmly locked since then, with researchers afraid to force open the combination lock and damage it. Until this week. Scientists using cutting-edge CT scanning technology discovered that the centuries-old four-letter code was ANCE. They spun the letters and it easily swung open. • The Ann Francis wrecked off the Welsh coast on Dec. 28, 1583, during a ferocious storm while returning from Spain. It is believed the lock once secured a small chest containing items of significant value. Found near a collection of Spanish silver coins and close to two coin weights recovered from the wreck site, the lock may have protected these objects or secured a chest containing valuable items that have not survived, such as documents or textiles. • The Elizabethan era used combination locks in Britain, but this one is in exceptionally good condition. The majority of the ship's remarkable hoard was discovered between 1996 and 2017.