Museum Explorer
Tools and technology
in Roman Britain
Adze-hammer
From: Bull's Wharf, London
Date: late 1st century AD
Many of the objects discovered by archaeologists show that the Romans were skilled craftsmen. They used different tools for working with metal, glass, stone and bone. This iron adze-hammer was used by a carpenter or shipwright for working wood. At one end of the head is a sharp blade, at the other a hammer.
The adze-hammer was excavated (dug up) on the bank of the River Thames. The damp ground there has kept the metal in perfect condition. It is shown on a modern wooden handle.
