Rock Identifier
Mammoth Molar Fossil (Mammuthus primigenius (Tooth fragment)) — fossil
fossil

Mammoth Molar Fossil

Mammuthus primigenius (Tooth fragment)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness varies around 5 on the Mohs scale due to mineral replacement (petrification); color ranges from dark brown to black; luster is dull to vitreous; structure consists of alternating plates of enamel, dentin, and cementum; specific gravity is approximately 2.5-3.0.

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Physical properties

Hardness varies around 5 on the Mohs scale due to mineral replacement (petrification); color ranges from dark brown to black; luster is dull to vitreous; structure consists of alternating plates of enamel, dentin, and cementum; specific gravity is approximately 2.5-3.0.

Formation & geological history

Formed through perimineralization where organic material of the prehistoric mammal's tooth is replaced by minerals over thousands to millions of years during the Pleistocene epoch.

Uses & applications

Prized by fossil collectors, educational displays, and natural history exhibits.

Geological facts

Woolly mammoth teeth are uniquely adapted for grinding tough tundra grasses, featuring a series of parallel enamel ridges. As the tooth wore down, the alternating hard enamel and softer dentin created an efficient rasping surface.

Field identification & locations

Identifiable by its distinct ribbed, corrugated surface consisting of parallel plates. Commonly found in river gravels, eroding shorelines, and permafrost regions such as Siberia and Alaska, as well as parts of North America and Europe.

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