This concise collection gathers ethnographic and conchological insights to show how shells became signs of value, ritual, and exchange across the world.

The book presents the idea that shell use grew from recognizable forms and then spread through different cultures. It highlights the role of experts in identifying shells and linking them to cultural practices, from currency to ceremonial trumpets and grave goods.

How shells functioned as currency, ornaments, and ritual tools in various regions
The long history of pearls, cowries, and pearl-shells in medicine, art, and ceremony
Connections between shell symbols and fertility, protection, and life beyond death
Examples of the worldwide paths shells helped, suggesting broad cultural exchange

Ideal for readers curious about archaeology, ethnography, and the links between nature and culture, this edition makes a complex topic approachable and engaging.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

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