tongue stones

Scope note: Specifically, fossilized shark's teeth that since the Renaissance were regarded as petrified tongues of dragons or snakes and so were referred to as "tongue stones" or "glossopetrae". Glossopetrae were considered talismans against poison or toxins, and were used in the treatment of snake bites. Noblemen and royalty are known to have worn them as pendants or kept them as charms. They were also incorporated into utensils. For the material derived from the animal that may or may not be fossilized, use 'shark teeth.'

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