Some would even argue that it's not purely a human activity; plants and animals have been bartering ... of barter in many cultures. 1,200 BC: Cowrie Shells The first use of cowries, the shell ...

Comprised of cowrie shells, the collar was elegant and a unique take on garbs worn during monumental, history-defining moments. For many of us stateside Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a moment to ...

The cowrie, a type of marine snail, has very colourful shells which were used as money. It seems that it wasn’t just the colours that made the shell appealing - its small size and durability ...