Keyword: «mammoth tusk structure»

MACRO- AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF FOSSIL MAMMOTH IVORY

Authors:

Tatyana Isakova,

Evgeniya Petyhova,

Gleb Botvin,

Anastasiya Argynova,

Tyskyl Solovev,

Aleksandr Chirikov,

Vyacheslav Petrov,

B. Platonov

This study analyzes the macro- and microstructure of fossil mammoth ivory. At the macroscopic level, fossil mammoth ivory consists of dentin externally coated with cementum. Like all bone tissues, mammoth ivory consists of hydroxyapatite, collagen, and water. Infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) enabled a comprehensive analysis of mammoth ivory samples and the determination of their structural features. The data obtained contribute to a better understanding of mineralization processes and structural changes in bone tissue and provide insight into the preservation conditions of ancient biomaterial.

Keywords: yakutia, mammoth tusk, storage conditions, fossil mammoth ivory, mammoth tusk structure