Shells

This magical grotto is adorned with a complex pattern of native seashells, minerals, and fragments of colored glass.

Long before Europeans arrived, Native Americans built an artificial island out of shells that has withstood a millennia of hurricanes.

This prehistoric site is home to the largest shell midden cluster in Japan.

The remains of a prehistoric settlement with a museum showcasing fascinating archaeological finds next to modern artworks.

A monument in the shape of the mighty conch honors the history and symbolism behind this shell.

A Danish fisherman spent 25 years covering nearly every inch of his home with tens of thousands of shells as a gift to his wife.

This knick-knack-covered house (complete with a matching van) is a charming oddity in the middle of a modest downtown neighborhood.

This spooky road cut through a mound of ancient coral might be haunted by a witch.

This impressive midden of scallop shells apparently all comes from a single fishing company.

A Buddhist temple covered in intricate designs and carvings made out of seashells and pieces of coral.

The site of Japan’s first archaeological excavation is also the birthplace of fingerprint forensics.