Ivory carvings are time capsules. They contain chemical signatures of an elephant's life--its DNA, diet, and movements. Some carvings sit in museums; others in our homes. By combining scientific analysis, oral histories, and archival research, our team is uncovering the entwined stories of humans, elephants, and the global ivory trade.
What We Do
Our team wants to know about your ivory collection!
Scientific Analysis
Interviews
Historical Research
We use X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry to rapidly and non-destructively identify trace elements in ivory carvings. With a small sample, we will also analyze DNA, stable isotope ratios, and specific proteins. Together, these techniques create a unique "fingerprint" for each carving, revealing where an elephant lived, what it ate, and its genetic history.
The ArchIvory staff conducts semi-structured interviews with volunteers who own ivory materials. We are interested in the personal history of these artifacts and their meaning to families and communities.
As historians, we examine primary and secondary sources on ivory, searching libraries and archives for records that shed light on its trade, use, and cultural significance.
