Engraved Walrus Tusk

Engraved Walrus Tusk, late 19th century
Maker unknown, Inupiat culture, North America
Gift of the Robert Cosgrove Estate (3547.6b)

Responses from Other Visitors

Once upona time, there was a walrus. His name was Sparky. Sparky was the leader of the pack, because of his strength, size, and his large tusks. He loved to explore the ice lands with his long time old friend Chunks. One bright sunny afternoon, they slipped away from the others and arm crawled their way up the hill. At the top of the hill was a slide that water ran down non stop. This flow of water dropped into the ocean. When they finally reached the top, they were extremely tired and hot. They both decided to go down the slide at the same time. Sparky and Chunks took a crawling start and jumped on the water, down they went, having a blast. when they get close to the end, they can see something in the water. It was something they have never seen before. When they dowve into the crystal blue ocean, they got tangled up in a net. It was a trap the humans used to catch prey. After a long strugle they gave up. The humans killed them and harvested them. Then they drew on their tusks.

—Lakers fan, Age: 16, Moses Lake, Washington, May 1, 2009 at 11:51 AM

2.The writing on these walrus tusks could contain secret information, or just normal information about the past. Like about things that happened during the time of the cavemen for instance. One of the times I like to think about was the time of the Ancient Egyptians.

—SHAULIA!!!!, Age: 16, Moses Lake, Washington, May 1, 2009 at 8:21 AM

3.As time goes on the stories of the Inupiat walrus hunts remain, engraved on the tusks of the creatures. They traveled by land from their homes using sleighs pulled by tamed deer, they're dogs in pursuit. They used boats to cross the freezing waters to ice bergs where the animal may be resting, and when they find the great beast they find calves and females (cows) and the huge males. When the hunt is done the Inupiats returned to their villages to cook the meat, make weapons from the bones, clothing from the skin, and crave the hunt into the tusk. They don't waste anything. Then the cycle continues as they wait for the next great hunt.

—Pia, Age: 16, Washington, May 1, 2009 at 8:08 AM