Colubraria cumingii shell from the wreck of the Dutch East India ship Witte Leeuw before 1613

This is a Colubraria cumingii shell from the wreck of the Dutch East India ship Witte Leeuw. Consider the journey of this shell from the ocean floor to a Dutch trading vessel. This unassuming object tells a complex story of global trade, colonial expansion and the human cost of exploration in the 17th century. Think about the Witte Leeuw, a ship laden with spices, textiles, and other precious commodities, sinking off the coast of St. Helena in 1613 after an attack by the Portuguese. This shell, once a living creature's home, became a silent witness to a moment of intense colonial conflict. It now serves as a stark reminder of the ambitions, rivalries, and struggles that defined this era. What does it mean to hold a piece of history that connects natural beauty with human drama? This shell invites us to reflect on the interconnectedness of our world, then and now.