Turbo marmoratus shell from the wreck of the Dutch East India ship Witte Leeuw before 1613

This Turbo marmoratus shell comes from the wreck of the Dutch East India ship Witte Leeuw. Found in the depths, this shell whispers tales of global trade and colonial ambition. The Dutch East India Company, a powerful entity of the 17th and 18th centuries, sailed the seas in pursuit of spices and luxury goods. These voyages linked continents but also entrenched inequality through exploitation and control. This shell, once a living creature's home, symbolizes the natural resources that fueled European expansion. It serves as a reminder of the human stories intertwined with the natural world. The shell invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between commerce, culture, and the ocean's depths. It is a physical embodiment of a bygone era, filled with both wonder and exploitation.