The purpose of this book is to help the archaeologists in obtaining proper information on shells and their utilisation. The subject has been divided into chapters on history of malacological research, on shells as archaeological material and as part of the palaeoenvironment, as well as on different uses of molluscs (fishing, nutrition, tools, ornaments, etc). The last chapter summarises various interpretations of shells found in the Aegean area from the Palaeolithic to the Late Bronze Age.