diginupbones Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 I was told by someone familiar with the location where this was found that this is mastodon ivory. They said that it turns this blue and cream color in this area. Just wondering what the experts think. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites
Rockwood Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 I can't really confirm it, but I sure wouldn't argue against it. Link to post Share on other sites
MrBones Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 2nd picture looks like some Chinese writing! Link to post Share on other sites
diginupbones Posted August 4, 2020 Author Share Posted August 4, 2020 On 8/2/2020 at 12:50 PM, MrBones said: 2nd picture looks like some Chinese writing! Hmm, perhaps that means its from an Asian elephant! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
diginupbones Posted August 16, 2020 Author Share Posted August 16, 2020 I found some large pieces of this same material last week that may help with identification. They seem to be complete sections of tusk of some sort. The end views may be helpful for someone knowledgeable about ivory. Feel free to tag anyone you think may be helpful with this. Thanks 1 Link to post Share on other sites
abyssunder Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 If there are Schreger lines visible on the transversal section(s) of your second specimen, the possibility of proboscidean tusk might be on the right way, in my thinking. Link to post Share on other sites
diginupbones Posted February 8, 2021 Author Share Posted February 8, 2021 The recent post by @darrow got me interested in these pieces again. Does anyone have advice on how to get a better identification on these? Should I do a cross-section cut on the end of one of these pieces and polish it? I think I can see some very faint Schreger lines on the end of one of these but not enough for identification. Thanks @abyssunder @digit @Shellseeker Link to post Share on other sites
Shellseeker Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 I have never seen a tooth of a Probiscean tooth that displays this type of layering. Your fossil must be tusk. Below are a couple of photos of a Mastodon Tusk I found 5 years ago. The butt end seems to be similar to the photo of your fossil. In my experience, I have only been able to see Schreger lines in the butt end of tusks, and sometimes in the roots of mastodon teeth. You can "see" these lines in the butt end photo below. Take a look at your last photo... I tried to enhance the image.... not enough pixils In order to determine , which Probiscean tusk you have, you must get a higher res photo like this. Link to post Share on other sites
val horn Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 how far are you from the mammoth site in hot springs SD. I would think it part of a mammoth tusk, but taking it [or a piece of it] it a real expert for hands on examination is the way to go. Link to post Share on other sites
garyc Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 I do see some tusk like qualities, especially the colors. I’m not seeing any Schreger lines though. Any chance of this being petrified wood? Link to post Share on other sites
PaleoNoel Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 38 minutes ago, garyc said: I do see some tusk like qualities, especially the colors. I’m not seeing any Schreger lines though. Any chance of this being petrified wood? I agree with the others who have said tusk, I believe I can see some faint Schreger lines on this shot, more apparent in the lower part of this piece. Link to post Share on other sites
Pemphix Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schreger_line https://www.fws.gov/lab/ivory_natural.php https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318504983_IDENTIFICATION_AND_DIFFERENTIATION_OF_THE_ASIAN_ELEPHANT_IVORY_BY_USING_SCHREGER_LINES https://www.realorrepro.com/article/Ivory-genuine-fake--confusing As PaleoNoel said, maybe Schregers in the last photo, but not sure... Could be agatized wood too (picture 6)... Link to post Share on other sites
diginupbones Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 I think the only way to positively ID these is to do a clean cut on the end with a wet saw. I really hate to alter these from the way I found them but it would be really cool to see what’s inside! The good thing is I have a whole box of this material. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
abyssunder Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 5 hours ago, diginupbones said: I think the only way to positively ID these is to do a clean cut on the end with a wet saw. I really hate to alter these from the way I found them but it would be really cool to see what’s inside! The good thing is I have a whole box of this material. Correct Link to post Share on other sites
fossilus Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 6 hours ago, diginupbones said: I think the only way to positively ID these is to do a clean cut on the end with a wet saw. I really hate to alter these from the way I found them but it would be really cool to see what’s inside! The good thing is I have a whole box of this material. I'm not sure how mineralized your pieces are, but I've had some luck with Texas tusk pieces (that are not heavily mineralized), using a knife to shave a little off the end. Link to post Share on other sites
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