The history of mammoth tusk usage
First use of mammoth ivory
Needles, awls, spear points,
“Venus” figurines
Non-monetary economy
Trade of ivory between tribes
Tusk hoards (300 kg), necklaces,
animal sculptures
1 kg ivory ≈ 1–2 kg copper ore or 5–10 kg grain
Ivory in megalithic cultures
Boats, ritual masks,
inlaid tools
1 kg ivory ≈ 1–2 kg bronze or 10–20 sheep
Ivory as a trade commodity in steppe cultures
Tusk hoards (15 kg in one burial),
weapon inlays
1 kg ivory ≈ 3–5 kg bronze
Ivory in Scythian horse gear
Horse harness decorations,
human masks
Ivory as a luxury material in Europe
Furniture inlays,
amulets, combs
1 kg ivory ≈ 2–3 kg silver
Import of mammoth ivory to Scandinavia
Sword handles,
“Mjölnir” amulets, icons
1 tusk (5–10 kg) ≈ 1–2 cows
Ivory in cabinets of curiosities and craftsmanship
Carved portraits,
chess sets, inlays
1 kg ivory ≈ 5–10 gold coins (1–2 cows)
Industrial extraction in Siberia
Buttons, combs,
furniture inlays
1 kg ≈ 3–5 rubles
Imitations of tortoiseshell / elephant ivory
Dyeing mammoth ivory to
imitate expensive materials
Paleontological discoveries
Complete mammoth
skeletons, soft tissues
1 kg ≈ 20–50 rubles (state)
Christie’s auction
Sculpture “Netsuke with Dragon”
(mammoth tusk, hand-carved, 19th c.)
~ £15 000
Ban on extraction
Regulatory changes linked
to ivory trade restrictions
Modern extraction and trade
Souvenirs, carvings,
scientific samples
1 kg ≈ $1,000–3,000
Sales of mammoth tusks at auctions in 2020–2025
