Ivory

Ivory is a hard, white material from the <a href="/facts/Tusk/FovweWbM">tusks</a> (traditionally from <a href="/facts/Elephant/6prrEFFK">elephants</a>) and <a href="/facts/Tooth/Wc6IqwVf">teeth</a> of animals, that consists mainly of <a href="/facts/Dentine/UMpkJ3UV">dentine</a>, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. The chemical structure of the teeth and tusks of <a href="/facts/Mammal/phSwTzBo">mammals</a> is the same, regardless of the species of origin, but ivory contains structures of mineralised <a href="/facts/Collagen/KsyAb72K">collagen</a>. The trade in certain teeth and tusks other than elephant is well established and widespread; therefore, "ivory" can correctly be used to describe any mammalian teeth or tusks of commercial interest which are large enough to be carved or <a href="/facts/Scrimshaw/z8bAX7zB">scrimshawed</a>.
Besides natural ivory, ivory can also be produced synthetically, hence (unlike natural ivory) not requiring the retrieval of the material from animals. <a href="/facts/Tagua/Lfr8z6Ee">Tagua</a> nuts can also be carved like ivory.
The trade of <a href="/facts/Finished_goods/B2RBsBRt">finished goods</a> of ivory products has its origins in the <a href="/facts/Indus_Valley/7vTRHA4t">Indus Valley</a>. Ivory is a main product that is seen in abundance and was used for trading in <a href="/facts/Harappan_civilization/6xM4aK23">Harappan civilization</a>. Finished ivory products that were seen in <a href="/facts/Harappa/bKWEUjH0">Harappan</a> sites include kohl sticks, <a href="/facts/Pin/gD2qFvc3">pins</a>, awls, <a href="/facts/Hook/a8LmSndR">hooks</a>, toggles, <a href="/facts/Comb/lIutLoTP">combs</a>, game pieces, <a href="/facts/Dice/qBnylzwJ">dice</a>, inlay and other personal ornaments.
Ivory has been valued since ancient times in art or manufacturing for making a range of items from <a href="/facts/Ivory_carving/PkDWsByP">ivory carvings</a> to <a href="/facts/False_teeth/DIoMDDRw">false teeth</a>, <a href="/facts/Piano_keys/lRI60lQK">piano keys</a>, <a href="/facts/Hand_fan/oF01aqa9">fans</a>, and <a href="/facts/Domino/pHUWchnw">dominoes</a>. Elephant ivory is the most important source, but ivory from <a href="/facts/Mammoth/k9MnxS2k">mammoth</a>, <a href="/facts/Walrus/Vxz3NIww">walrus</a>, <a href="/facts/Hippopotamus/hFGDPWRI">hippopotamus</a>, <a href="/facts/Sperm_whale/mBUge07C">sperm whale</a>, <a href="/facts/Orca/AaDEqz8T">orca</a>, <a href="/facts/Narwhal/11Bl7av7">narwhal</a> and <a href="/facts/Warthog/PPjGB5gh">warthog</a> are used as well. <a href="/facts/Elk/1Ho2v1IX">Elk</a> also have two ivory teeth, which are believed to be the remnants of tusks from their ancestors.
The national and international <a href="/facts/Wildlife_trade/WNLPEduI">trade</a> in natural ivory of <a href="/facts/Threatened/kryGsxNb">threatened</a> species such as <a href="/facts/African_elephant/vMA6IWh1">African</a> and <a href="/facts/Asian_elephant/KE152Fa8">Asian elephants</a> is illegal. The word ivory ultimately derives from the <a href="/facts/Egyptian_language/mSqys6jC">ancient Egyptian</a> âb, âbu ('elephant'), through the <a href="/facts/Latin/pM3Kge85">Latin</a> ebor- or ebur.

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Ivory