The structure of mammoth tusk was investigated by infrared spectroscopy, including after heat treatment. The whole complex of functional groups of the tusk components - hydroxyapatite, collagen and water - was revealed. It was found that collagen in the IR spectrum is represented mainly by characteristic absorption bands of amide and aliphatic groups. After heat treatment at 600 °C, the organic part is completely removed from the sample. It was found that hydroxyapatite in mammoth tusk is

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... ted in a carbonate-substituted form, however, heat treatment at 900 °C leads to the removal of carbonate anion and water from the sample, which is accompanied by the transition of hydroxyapatite from the nonstoichiometric state to the stoichiometric state.