Tooth sample from sperm whale caught off Albany, Western Australia, 1966

1966
Overview

Bisected whale tooth mounted on a block of timber with adhesive.

Historical information

Teeth were extracted from sperm whales caught off the Western Australian coast between 1964 and 1966 and were related to research carried out by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Division of Fisheries.
According to notes by CSIRO scientist Dr Graham Chittleborough, the samples are the upper and front teeth of the whales. Some are whole; others have been longitudinally bisected and the exposed surface acid etched to enhance the growth bands for examination.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-140-31121239
Item type
Themes
Material
Width
58 mm
Height or length
92 mm
Depth
47 mm
Inscriptions and markings

Handwritten in black ink: 28.A.66’T’ on the base of the wooden block.
Handwritten in black ink: 46-3 on the base of the tooth.

Contextual Information

The CSIRO used the tooth samples to obtain genetic material for research purposes.
The tooth samples were originally transferred into archival custody with data sheets and tissue sample slides.
Tooth samples were identified by whale number, a letter or letters to denote relative location to a whaling station where the whale was caught, and the year in which this occurred. This information was written in the format: Whale number - Locality – Year.

Place made
Australia
Year
Attribution requirements

NAA: K1393, 28.A.66-2

National Archives of Australia, Western Australia Office

National Archives of Australia, Western Australia Office

Organisation Details
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Yellow coloured whale tooth that has been cut in half and adhered to wooden block with flat side facing upward. Loose fibres at the end of the grains direction on wooden base.

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