Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
During the Middle Ages, unicorn horn was one of the most sought-after medicines in Europe, believed to purify water and cure disease. But hang on - if unicorns aren't real, what was really going on? đŚ
Alt text: our colleague in conservation shows us a narwhal tusk held in our collection and describes how, in the past, they were often mistaken for (or marketed as) unicorn horns. We're also shown historic illustrations of the two creatures.
During the Middle Ages, unicorn horn was one of the most sought-after medicines in Europe, believed to purify water and cure disease. But hang on - if unicorns aren't real, what was really going on? đŚ
Alt text: our colleague in conservation shows us a narwhal tusk held in our collection and describes how, in the past, they were often mistaken for (or marketed as) unicorn horns. We're also shown historic illustrations of the two creatures.
