fossil

Mammoth or Mastodon Tooth Fragment

Mammuthus / Mammut molar fragment

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness around 5 on Mohs scale (mineralized enamel and dentin), brownish-gray color, dull luster, composed primarily of hydroxyapatite, specific gravity ~2.7 - 3.0

Identified August 6, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Hardness around 5 on Mohs scale (mineralized enamel and dentin), brownish-gray color, dull luster, composed primarily of hydroxyapatite, specific gravity ~2.7 - 3.0

Formation & geological history

Formed during the Pleistocene epoch (Ice Age) through the process of permineralization, where groundwater minerals replace the original organic material of prehistoric teeth buried in sediment.

Uses & applications

Valued primarily by fossil collectors, educational institutions, and museums for display and scientific study.

Geological facts

Proboscidean molars are specially adapted for grinding tough vegetation, featuring prominent enamel ridges that are clearly visible on this fragment.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified by the characteristic parallel corrugated ridges of durable enamel alternating with softer dentin and cementum. Commonly found in river gravels, eroding bluffs, and construction sites in regions glaciated or inhabited during the Ice Age.