In this episode, Stefanie and Jona are visiting the Museum Catharijneconvent in Utrecht (Netherlands), where an object stands right at the entrance, which Jona picked to take a closer look at: a medieval (ceremonial?) hammer built up based on an axehead from around 1000 BCE.
Image 1: Defining what a hammer is and that there are different hammer types.
While talking and observing the hammer from every possible perspective, the two podcast hostesses describe its materials, form, and explore the potential meanings. As Stefanie describes the object in quite detail, from the greenish polished stone, onto the silver casing with the gilded crown, and ending with the Latin inscription, the conversation dives into questions of reuse, symbolism, and ritual.
Image 2: Shows a close look at the serpentinite.
Following these observations, the episode captures their (FIRST TIME!) process of drawing and documenting the hammer, from noting weather and location in their sketchbooks to debating proportions and decorative motifs. Dragons, floral ornaments, and inscriptions add further layers to an artefact that embodies the tension between destruction and transformation: a prehistoric tool recast as the weapon of St. Martin, “the destroyer of idols.”
Image 3: Shows the hammer of Saint Martin from different view points to focus on the medieval modifications.
Image 4: Focuses on the inscription, the little ornaments and the translation.
Further References
De Hamer van Sint-Maarten – Een klap voor de duivel, Historiek, 29 June 2023, “Het voorwerp dateert ongeveer uit 1000 voor Christus …” Last visited 17 September 2025. https://historiek.net/hamer-van-sint-maartenshamer/87185/ Historiek
Museum Catharijneconvent, “Details – Collectie 41976: Hamer van Sint-Maarten”, Adlib Internet Server. Last visited 17 September 2025. https://adlib.catharijneconvent.nl/Details/collect/41976 adlib.catharijneconvent.nl+2utrechtaltijd.nl+2
“Sint-Maarten haalt een man terug uit de dood”, Hunebednieuwscafe, January 2023. Last visited 17 September 2025. https://www.hunebednieuwscafe.nl/2023/01/donderbijlen/ Het Hunebed Nieuwscafé
“Hamer van Sint-Maarten en Fokker: Utrechtse stukken in Canon van Nederland”, RTV Utrecht. Last visited 17 September 2025. https://www.rtvutrecht.nl/nieuws/1679589/hamer-van-sint-maarten-en-fokker-utrechtse-stukken-in-canon-van-nederland adlib.catharijneconvent.nl
“St. Maarten (ca. 316-397), bisschop van Tours …”, Meertens Instituut / Bedevaart, “Plaats 1060: Utrecht, H. Maarten (Martinus) / andere heiligen”, Bedevaart database. Last visited 17 September 2025. https://bedevaart.meertens.knaw.nl/plaats/1060
Image references
Image 1: Drawing a Hammer
War Hammer from the online collection of The Met: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25073
The Hammer of Saint Martin by Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23822667
Image 2: Serpentinite
The picture focusing on the axehead by MPhernambucq - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112949413
Photograph without the silver coating from 1918 by J.J.A. van Wisen, https://hetutrechtsarchief.nl/beeldmateriaal/detail/b5e53d8e-1c60-51b8-aaae-6c3456a8935c/media/17115062-d210-3c34-4859-5b503dbc07ed?mode=detail&view=horizontal&q=hamer%20van%20St.%20Maarten&rows=1&page=3
Image 3: The medieval Modifications
Side view of the hammer of Saint Martin by Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23822667
Front view of the hammer of Saint Martin by Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23822665
Back view of the hammer of Saint Martin by Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23822663
Image 3: The inscription
Drawing of the inscriptions by Jona Schlegel, based on the pictures available on the website of Museum Catharijneconvent, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38433184
Credits
Intro and outro music: “Meeting for Two – Background Music for Video Vlog (Hip Hop version, 43s)” via Pixabay Music by White_Records
Research behind the script: Jona Schlegel
Editing and post-production: Jona Schlegel
Cover art: Stefanie Ulrich
Things We Threw Away – Where to Find the Podcast
TWTA on Substack – Updates, transcripts, and reflections from the project
TWTA on Spotify – Listen and follow via Spotify
TWTA on Apple Podcasts – Available through the Apple Podcasts directory
TWTA on Instagram – Visual updates, behind the scenes, and illustrated content
TWTA on Bluesky – Public discussions, reflections, and cross-links
Projects by the team members
Jona Schlegel
Follow on Instagram (@archaeoink): Visual science communication through illustration, websites and archaeology
jonaschlegel.com: Portfolio and background on archaeological communication, coding, and design
archaeoink.com: Illustrated archaeology, blog posts, newsletter, and research-based visual storytelling
pastforwardhub.com: A platform for (freelance) archaeologists who want to create a more sustainable career, be visible, and connect with others
Stefanie Ulrich
Follow on Instagram (@thepublicarchaeologist): Photography of archaeological objects, and material encounters with a special focus on ancient Rom
