Spirals in Time

Stories of seashells stretch from the deep past into the present day. They are touchstones leading into fascinating realms of the natural world and cutting-edge science. Shell-makers (members of the phylum Mollusca) are among the most ancient and successful animals on the planet. They live extraordinary lives in many strange places; they create vital food and homes for other animals, and across the ages, people have used shells not only as trinkets but also as powerful symbols of sex and death, prestige and war. 'Spirals in Time' tells the story of the seashell.