Mastodon Tusk?

[mmelugin]

Here are some pics if what I think is the end of a mastodon tusk. It's about 18" long. It came out of an area that is mostly old swamp or ocean bay. Not sure. The ground is soft and mostly sandy sediment. It's very dense and heavy for its size. Sandstone that size is much lighter and evenly layered not pointed. Looking for your thoughts. The big white scar in the side is from the excavator bucket. Oops. Thanks

 

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[Age_old]

Tough call. If you could take a close-up of the broken end, that would help tremendously. When ivory breaks, it leaves a small grid-like criss-cross pattern that runs adjacent to the length of the tusk, like rings on a tree. I took this picture from the Internet to show what I mean. Depending on the angle of the criss crosses, you can also tell if it is mammoth or mastodon. Also, which state did you find it in?

 

[mmelugin]

Found in nor cal. It definitely doesn't show spirals like that. It is coated with hardend sand. I didn't want to clean it up too much before anyone else had a look at it. Ill see if I can get a good photo of the broken end. Thanks

 

[Harry Pristis]

It's a geofact -- a rock. It has none of the characteristics of ivory (as 'Age Old' outlined).

 

[GatorBoy]

Tough call. If you could take a close-up of the broken end, that would help tremendously. When ivory breaks, it leaves a small grid-like criss-cross pattern that runs adjacent to the length of the tusk, like rings on a tree. I took this picture from the Internet to show what I mean. Depending on the angle of the criss crosses, you can also tell if it is mammoth or mastodon. Also, which state did you find it in?

Well put.. here's one of my Mastadon tusk pieces.

 

[Age_old]

Well put.. here's one of my Mastadon tusk pieces.

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=760106"/>

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=760107"/>

Great piece, Gator! Perfect example.

 

[GatorBoy]

Thanks.. I really like that one because its the actual tip and the wear is very visable on it.