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A tan horn with carved decorative patterns and a capped end over a blue background.

Artifact Spotlight: Powder Horn

A tan horn with carved decorative patterns and a capped end over a blue background.
Artifact #1914.43.1, circa late 1770s

Revolutionary War soldiers had to carry gunpowder for their muskets in a separate container to keep it safe, dry, and ready to load when needed. Many soldiers used a “powder horn” for this—and most of these were made from actual animal horns. (This example is from a cow.) Joel Lane—who sold the land used to found our state capital, Raleigh—carried this hand-carved powder horn during the war.

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