The History Channel's "Modern Marvels" travels back to the Middle Ages this week with help from Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.

Producers for the TV show visited the Georgia castle's company ranch in Dacula for a segment on the history of the ax.

The episode airs at 8 p.m. Friday.

Head knights Tim Baker and Brian Kennedy offered demonstrations on horseback and on foot.

"It's amazing how popular the [Middle Ages] genre has become," said Baker, Medieval Times' director of stunts and choreography. "They seem to come out with a new movie every couple of years —- 'Kingdom of Heaven,' 'Braveheart,' 'Lord of the Rings' —- we try to re- create as much as we can in jousts and sword fights."

Baker said the segment shows viewers the evolution of the ax.

At the ranch, the producers' first request was to "kill a watermelon," he said. Baker, 43, took up his sword, er, ax when Medieval Times opened its first castle in Kissimmee, Fla., in 1983.

On horseback an ax wouldn't be his weapon of choice because it's hard to stop the horse, he said. "It is extremely regrettable that one of the most popular reasons axes were used on foot was to take down a horse in battle. We just don't think like that today," he said.