Arch2000 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I'd like the forum's opinion on this piece, of which I have very little information: It is a tusk of some sort, broken at one end and perhaps the root end at the other? It appears to be a piece of petrified wood at first glance, especially the side with the long crack down it. However it is much lighter than petrified wood, and the broken end shows the signature hollow center. Pics are below, the grid on which the specimen is on are 1"x1", for size comparison. This came from a craigslist purchase of all things. It was part of a large lot (about 100 pieces) that this lady had in storage, many fish fossils and other things I still need to identify, these belonged to her father who I took was deceased and was selling everything at a steal as she needed to clean the storage unit out and didn't want to haul 'rocks' around. I believe that this is Mammoth or Mastodon as in addition to this tusk there was a partial Mastodon tooth and a large, broken Mammoth tooth- I will post about the fix for that later- in this collection I purchased. Due to the above I know nothing about where this came from or how old it is. It has the large crack on the one side but it doesn't go all the way through, there might be a coating or shellac on the piece, I can't tell. Any thoughts or feedback is appreciated. I'll answer any questions to the best of my ability, and appreciate any feedback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 It certainly looks to me like a mastodon or elephant tusk. http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snolly50 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 (edited) Proboscidean tusks display Schreger lines (Google for pictures). Look at the ends for this sign. Edited June 10, 2014 by snolly50 Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch2000 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 Proboscidean tusks display Schrerger lines (Google for pictures). Look at the ends for this sign. Thanks, I will look, but ends appear to be too rough to make out fine detail like that. I will let you know if I can find them, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snolly50 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Good luck, I just realized I put an extra "r" in Schreger. I probably would have been more helpful to you if I spelled it correctly. Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch2000 Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 Any thoughts on the condition? I can't tell if it's been darkened or covered with a sealer or varnish (seems shinier to me than other fossilized tusks I've seen). I am considering polishing it and seeing if that will allow it to lighten and see more of the color mix normally associated with tusks. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calhounensis Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 The condition looks fairly rough, if it has been sealed that might be the only thing keeping it together. As is might be the best this tusk gets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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