This fossil section comes from a tusk of Mammuthus primigenius, commonly known as the Woolly Mammoth, one of the most iconic species of the Pleistocene megafauna. This specimen clearly displays the typical features of fossil ivory, with concentric patterns and dark bands resulting from mineralization and natural oxidation during its long burial in frozen sediments.

The well-preserved tusk originates from the Siberian permafrost, one of the world’s main sources of Mammoth fossil remains. The permanently frozen environment enabled exceptional preservation of organic material, greatly slowing decomposition processes. The anaerobic conditions and constantly sub-zero temperatures kept the internal structure of the ivory intact.

Species: Mammuthus primigenius

Geological period: Pleistocene (about 400,000 to 4,000 years ago)

Environment: Cold steppes of northern Eurasia

Origin: Siberia, Russia

Material: Fossilized tusk in natural mineral ivory

Preservation: Excellent, with visible internal structure, concentric sections, and color variations due to natural mineralization and permafrost sediments

The woolly mammoth was perfectly adapted to glacial climates: it had a thick coat, insulating fat layers, and curved tusks used to dig through snow in search of vegetation. Male tusks could exceed 4 meters in length and grow in a spiral, showing a unique internal pattern visible in sections like this one.