Chisel

Accession Number1986.008.0774

VesselSanta Margarita (1622)

Datecirca 1620

DescriptionAn 18.8-centimeter-long iron chisel was recovered from the wreck of the 1622 galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha. The chisel was used by the ship’s carpenter to cut or shape wood. This piece looks to have used a hardened steel for the cutting edge, as it deteriorated in a distinctly different way than the rest of the chisel body.