Mammoth Tooth

[bow hunter]

Here is a mammoth tooth, identified by the head paleontologist at the University of Nebraska. I found it when I was arrowhead hunting here in Nebraska. Part of it is broken off, but still very happy with the find. When I come upon a larger rock under water that I can't quite make out, I often pick it up to get a better look at it. This is the best payoff I have to date for that habit. Also have a front rib bone from a young mammoth that I found a couple miles upstream a different time.

[SmokyHill]

Originally Posted by bow hunter

Here is a mammoth tooth, identified by the head paleontologist at the University of Nebraska. Also have a front rib bone from a young mammoth that I found a couple miles upstream a different time.

It looks like you have found a specimen of the State fossil bow hunter, that's a nice one.

If anyone likes to see elephant fossils check out Elephant Hall in Lincoln Nebraska as it is touted as having one of the world's most complete exhibits of elephant evolution. Also the largest mounted mammoth skeleton in the U. S. is located there. SH

[homestyle]

Wow, what a great find! Thanks for sharing.

[Kevin Young]

That one looks very, very very, old. I doubt that one is from the end of the Pleistocene.

[DesertWalker]

That's a great find!

[bow hunter]

Originally Posted by Kevin Young

That one looks very, very very, old. I doubt that one is from the end of the Pleistocene.

Probably not. I'm sure it is very old. The front rib bone pictured below probably is, though. It's from an adolescent mammoth, and isn't fossilized. I was tubing down a creek looking for arrowheads, and I picked it up and used it for a paddle in slow moving water. Oh, any suggestions on preserving the tooth. I just noticed that it is developing some cracks in it, no doubt from the dry winter atmosphere in my house.

[SmokyHill]

Originally Posted by bow hunter

Oh, any suggestions on preserving the tooth. I just noticed that it is developing some cracks in it, no doubt from the dry winter atmosphere in my house.

Bone/fossil preservation

Bison Antiquuas

[bow hunter]

Thanks very much, Smoky Hill. I will use that on the tooth and any other bones I find that are worth keeping. I've never liked the shine of shellac. I have ended up throwing out many bones because they just fell apart. I wonder if I should use this on shell and bone beads and tools or just leave them alone? I haven't had any problems with them so far.

[SmokyHill]

Originally Posted by bow hunter

Thanks very much, Smoky Hill. I will use that on the tooth and any other bones I find that are worth keeping. I've never liked the shine of shellac. I have ended up throwing out many bones because they just fell apart. I wonder if I should use this on shell and bone beads and tools or just leave them alone? I haven't had any problems with them so far.

You are more than welcome.

Just be sure to follow the precautions concerning the use of acetone.

As far as using this stuff on shell and bone tools it would be okay and I certainly would use it if they show signs of not being stable. I have had bone tools (antler) look fine for years then eventually the surface started to flake. I have also had bison skulls start to shed surface flakes years later. SH

[james b]

Some cool bones man! That tooth is really cool.