Demand for mammoth tusk is around the world. Russia has a rather large stock of this material. It has about several hundred tons. Despite such a huge number, archaeologists do not stop, but continue to look for where to find a mammoth tusk.
Are there frequent cases of successful excavations aimed at finding mammoth bones?
Annually, the warehouse is replenished by approximately several tens of tons. There were a variety of finds. Of these, the largest can be distinguished: their length is 4–4.5 meters, their diameter is 1.8–1.9 decimeters.
Weight mammoth tusk can be 0, 1-0, 11 tons. In Africa, researchers found this part of the elephant skeleton, which weighed 0.095 tons.
Mammoth bone resting near ponds
Where does the extraction of mammoth tusks take place? As a rule, they are dug up near the former reservoirs, because the animals were drawn to sources of moisture. You can also stumble upon a mammoth tusk somewhere in a ravine or deep on the river bottom.
The Siberian region is extremely rich in this artifact, because the North is a very favorable habitat for an animal, where it was not hot in a dense and thick fur coat. Siberiaendows the scientific light of archeology with thousands of mammoth tusks. More precisely, about 20,000-35,000 kilograms are found annually.
Russia is the home of mammoths
Studying the statistics of archaeological excavations, you can catch yourself thinking that mammoths really liked it on the lands of today's Russia, and it was more than comfortable, because the number of finds is simply amazing in its abundance. Moreover, not only the northern part of Siberia was their home, as it might seem at first glance.
The nineteenth and twentieth centuries were rich in mammoth tusks. The vast majority of successful excavations took place on the territory of the Ob and Yakutia. Thus, it is clear why the Yakuts and Tobolts held such high esteem for items made from mammoth tusk.
Masters created small sculptures, boxes, watch stands, combs. These things were made entirely of bone. Everyone wanted to decorate their neck with such a thing as a mammoth tusk amulet.
The land on which the glorious city of Arkhangelsk now stands is also famous for its fertility in terms of archaeological value. They also made jewelry and items that were used in everyday life from mammoth ivory. They were made by skillful Kholmogory craftsmen.
Extraction of a valuable artifact
Getting mammoth tusk is an interesting and profitable activity, but not easy. The river bed is the most common location for this material. Or is it a swamp or tundra. In a word, it will not be possible to get out of the water dry in the truest sense of the word. And have toget your hands dirty, but for what purpose! Mining is only half the battle. When the artifact seeker is happy with the find, he faces the following task: now this raw material must also be delivered to the processing point. During construction and archaeological excavations, as well as when geological surveys are taking place, you can really stumble upon a mammoth tusk. The photo gives an idea of what sizes and shapes they have.
This often happens on the territory of Chukotka, northern Yakutia, in the Tyumen lands. Since bone carving was a folk art and was popular in the north of that part of Russia, which is part of Europe, and in Siberia until the twentieth century, many examples of masterful processing of mammoth tusk managed to accumulate.
What bones are good for work?
There are no special requirements and strict conditions that would limit the freedom in choosing the material that will later be turned into a beautiful product. The bone can be chosen at your discretion.
Mainly used the following types of materials:
- The antlers of deer, elk, cows and deer are quite suitable for processing. They are durable and products made from them last a long time. You can take the horn of any ungulate animal.
- Not only horns are suitable for these purposes. Camels, cows and horses have good tubular tibias that can be safely used. The main condition is that the animal must be large, hoofed.
- Mammoths and elephants are excellent "suppliers" of tusks for further artisticprocessing.
- A sperm whale is also a potential "supplier" of the bone, and to be precise, its tooth is valuable.
- Walruses can compete with their fangs.
- Rhinoceros is an animal that can truly be proud of what is gaping in his forehead. In the same way, every craftsman who receives the horn of this strong animal for processing is proud.
- Narwhal is another individual whose bone is the best suited for making beautiful and useful products.
What are the restrictions?
There are regulations, the text of which includes a restriction or even prohibits the sale of the horns of animals such as narwhal, rhinoceros. The sale of sperm whale tooth is also limited.
Starting in 2002, the United Nations partially banned the trade in elephant bones. What is legal then? To sell mammoth tusks, and the sale of artiodactyl horns is also allowed. These bans are introduced in order to prevent the brutal killing of animals for profit, so this does not apply to the long-extinct mammoths, because they have not been among the existing species of fauna for 10 thousand years. Their bone can be safely used and exported. The only but important detail: it is necessary to draw up a document allowing extraction and export abroad.
But still, working with mammoth tusk is much easier than with ivory or walrus tusk. These are justified restrictions that prevent damage to nature and insure wildlife from poaching. Fortunately, there are still many rivers in Siberia, in the soil of whichmammoth bones rest, so living elephants can safely pluck grass at a watering hole and not worry too much.
Mammoth tusk benefits
They are deservedly valued above all other similar substitutes. This material is plastic and beautiful. But you have to pay for it, so it is rated higher. It is not so easy to process, but it serves well and for a long time.
This material is solid, there is very little void in it, the mass can be considered almost homogeneous. Since the dimensions can be very large, it is possible to carve a large sculpture. In order to process a mammoth tusk, you need a cutter. When an incision is made, the sculptor will see a drawing from a beautiful mesh. The appearance of the product is very effective, whatever the processing method. The artifact is painted, polished and engraved. We know about the hardness of amber, pearls and coral. So, the mammoth bone is in no way inferior to them.
Analogues and substitutes
If we talk about the tarsus, it has a tubular structure. And here the sculptor has less room for the scope of his imagination. Some carvers prefer it because it costs less. The Russians most often use the tarsus of a cow, the Asians borrow this material from camels. There are also craftsmen who, thanks to their skill, give out a cheap substitute for mammoth tusk. Although a trained eye will notice the difference in two counts.
He has a yellowish or brown patchy color. On the tusk you can see the annual rings. You may have seen something similar on a section of a wooden trunk. So be extremely careful when buying mammoth tusk products. To protect yourself from acquiring a fake, consult with professionals. This will avoid wasting money.
