Up Close: Elk Ivory Pendants in Alberta
The history behind special Indigenous artifacts.
Indigenous girls and women have worn beautiful and precious polished elk tooth pendants for at least 2,500 years. A special dress decorated with them communicated the wearer’s place in their community and role in ceremonies. Given as a gift, it symbolized long life and enduring love.
By examining twelve pendants recovered from archaeological sites and studying historic records, we’ve learned more about how these pendants were made, for how long, and the significance of these unique and special artifacts. Join Karen Giering, Assistant Collections Curator of Archaeology at the Royal Alberta Museum, for a virtual Up Close talk about these beautiful pendants!
