Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Materials Facet
3. Materials (hierarchy name)
4. materials (substances)
5. [materials by composition]
6. combination inorganic/organic material
7. combination inorganic/organic animal material
8. [animal shell and shell material]
9. shell (animal material)

Anotations

Scope note:

The curved, tooth-like shell of the dentalium mollusk, native to waters around British Columbia. Used as jewelry and as decoration for Native North American clothing; prior to the 20th century, also used as currency amongst California and Northwest Coast Native people.