1986.008.1983
Grindstone
Physical Object
1986.008.1983
Santa Margarita (1622)
circa 1620
One half of a grindstone comes from the wreck of the 1622 galleon Santa Margarita. Originally, it was a wheel-shaped stone that mounted on an axle and sat in a wooden frame. It was rotated by hand-crank or foot-pedal. This grindstone, like most, is made of sandstone, and its natural abrasiveness was used to sharpen tools, weapons, and cutlery. The stone has a diameter of 24.2 centimeters and is 7.2 centimeters thick.