Mammoth tusk (Mammuthus primigenius), 6.5 kg

A mammoth tusk is an elongated incisor tooth from members of the genus Mammuthus, an extinct group of large, elephant-like herbivores that roamed the Northern Hemisphere during the Pleistocene epoch (approximately 2.6 million to 4,000 years ago). Mammoth tusks are composed primarily of dentin, a dense, mineralized tissue, with an outer layer of cementum and growth lines that record annual and seasonal growth patterns. In life, these tusks were used for foraging, digging through snow to access vegetation, defense against predators, and social interactions such as displays or sparring.

The internal structure of a mammoth tusk reveals concentric growth layers—similar to tree rings—called annual dentin increments. Analysis of these layers allows scientists to determine the animal’s age, health, and environmental conditions experienced during its lifetime. The tusks also sometimes preserve isotopic signatures that provide information about diet, migration patterns, and climatic conditions of the Pleistocene.

Fossilized mammoth tusks are valued both for scientific research and for artistic purposes, as they often retain a portion of their original mineralization and can be carved or polished without losing structural integrity. They serve as tangible records of Ice Age megafauna, offering insights into the evolution, ecology, and behavior of extinct proboscideans and the environments in which they lived.