Hammer Head

Accession Number2006.009.0001

VesselNuestra Señora de Atocha (1622)

Datecirca 1620

DescriptionAn iron hammerhead from the 1622 galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha. This hammer is of a basic design that dates to the Roman era. It is large, with an overall length of 26.4 centimeters and would have been used by the ship’s carpenter to drive spikes and nails, or to knock wooden components into place. The flat, squarish face was used for striking, and the claws were used to pry. The central eye was where it fixed onto a wooden handle.