Themes this can be used for:

	West African History				Triangular Trade

This 850-mm string of cowrie shells is from West Africa. It dates from the 18th century. The shells are from the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean, and were used as decoration to show the wealth and status of the owner. There was a significant trade in cowrie shells in West Africa and it was much increased by Europeans who imported vast quantities of shells to exchange for slaves.