Researchers say they have cracked the combination of a brass padlock recovered from a 1583 shipwreck off the Welsh coast, turning a long-standing maritime mystery into a solved case. The lock is described as being sealed since the wreck, with reporting focusing on how a four-letter combination was determined.

BBC News and The Independent report that the padlock was found near Port Talbot as part of what is believed to be a treasure hoard recovered from the wreck. The Independent also emphasizes the method used to reach the solution, describing the role of experts and a CT scan, while adding context about the ship’s final voyage. Across outlets, the core agreed story is the same: the lock recovered from the site is now associated with a deciphered combination, dating back about 400 years.