Stalagtite
For many years this item was erroneously listed in the museum catalogue as a Narwhale Tusk. But through diligent research from our resident working anthropologist, Barbara Lewis, we discovered that the so called “Narwhale tusk” ended up being a stalactite of a limestone formation that was found in the Morrison Cave (Lewis and Clark Caverns) in Montana.
The infamous Narwhale tusk was a quintessential object in the wunderkammer (a German term for Cabinet of Curiosity and the subject of our newest exhibit of the same name). Some medieval Europeans believed narwhal tusks to be the horns from the legendary unicorn. As these horns were considered to have magic powers, such as neutralizing poison and curing melancholia, Vikings and other northern traders were able to sell them for many times their weight in gold.
Donor: Harry E. Nesbitt
Adopted by:
For many years this item was erroneously listed in the museum catalogue as a Narwhale Tusk. But through diligent research from our resident working anthropologist, Barbara Lewis, we discovered that the so called “Narwhale tusk” ended up being a stalactite of a limestone formation that was found in the Morrison Cave (Lewis and Clark Caverns) in Montana.
The infamous Narwhale tusk was a quintessential object in the wunderkammer (a German term for Cabinet of Curiosity and the subject of our newest exhibit of the same name). Some medieval Europeans believed narwhal tusks to be the horns from the legendary unicorn. As these horns were considered to have magic powers, such as neutralizing poison and curing melancholia, Vikings and other northern traders were able to sell them for many times their weight in gold.
Donor: Harry E. Nesbitt
Adopted by: