In Our Time · July 30, 2026 · 53m

Seashells

Helen Scales, Liz Harper, Suzanne Williams

In this episode of In Our Time, Melvyn Bragg and guests Suzanne Williams, Liz Harper, and Helen Scales explore the world of seashells, from their evolution and ecology to their cultural significance. They discuss how the astonishing shapes of shells reveal the history of Earth's oceans, and how humans have treasured them as art, currency, and instruments across millennia.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

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Seashells as Cultural Symbols in Mythologies

Seashells feature prominently in global mythologies, from Botticelli's Venus on a scallop shell to Vishnu's sacred conch panchajanya and Quetzalcōātl's talisman.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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Shell Morphology Provides Window into Past Oceans

The shapes and patterns of seashells can reveal information about Earth's oceans through time.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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Molluscs: One of the Most Diverse Animal Groups

Seashells are the external skeletons of molluscs, one of the most diverse animal phyla, and their remarkable morphology tells an evolutionary story.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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The Urge to Collect Shells is Ancient

Humans have been drawn to collect seashells for millennia, using them as tools, ornaments, and currency.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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Shells as Musical Instruments

Seashells have been used as musical instruments in many cultures, such as conch shell trumpets.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

References

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Shells — S. Peter Dance (2022)

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Animal Eyes — Michael F. Land and Dan-Eric Nilsson (2012)

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Interesting Shells — Andreia Salvador (2022)

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Shell Day: A Story of 24 Hours and 24 Molluscan Lives — Helen Scales (2026)

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The Shell Spotter's Guide — Helen Scales (2024)

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What a Shell Can Tell: Where They Live, What They Eat, How They Move, and More — Helen Scales (2022)

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Spirals in Time: The Secret Life and Curious Afterlife of Seashells — Helen Scales (2015)

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Fossils — Paul D. Taylor

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